Matt Barnes To Stay with Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers Forward Matt Barnes was the lone player to attend the press conference introducing new Head Coach Mike Brown.
Barnes has the option of forgoing the final season on his two-year deal with the team, worth $1.9 million. While he hinted during his exit meeting earlier in the month that he was likely to stay, on Tuesday he used stronger language.
“I’ll be a Laker next year,” said Barnes.
Matt also indicated that while he doesn’t feel pain in his surgically-repaired knee, he did say he’s still suffering with swelling.
Barnes tried to return from surgery after tearing his meniscus but wasn’t able to regain his athleticism and the Lakers were ousted in four games by the Dallas Mavericks from the second round of the playoffs.{AUTHOR_BOX}
With Barnes, the Lakers will have 11 returning players although the contracts of Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks are not guaranteed.
The team’s free agents include Joe Smith, Theo Ratliff and Trey Johnson. Shannon Brown can opt out as well and become an unrestricted free agent. If he does, Brown will leave $2.4 million on the table.
If the team makes Johnson a qualifying offer, he would become a restricted free agent.
The Lakers also have four second-round picks in the coming NBA Draft in June (41, 46, 56 and 58).
Look for a full break-down of the Mike Brown press conference at HOOPSWORLD on Wednesday morning.
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