The Sacramento Kings waived Matt Barnes to create a roster spot following the DeMarcus Cousins trade despite owning a $6.4 million option for 17-18.
Barnes was a veteran presence to help the Kings push for the playoffs with DeMarcus Cousins.
“They were so adamant in not trading DeMarcus, so once they traded him, my mind-set is they’re starting over and my mind-set is also I’m too old to start over,” Barnes said. “So Vlade [Divac, the Kings’ general manager] had that understanding and the next day we spoke and it was a mutual, ‘Hey, I understand it’s a business and I want to win.’ And he understood that. So from there guys started calling me.”
Barnes received interest from the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers. Barnes signed with the Warriors following the injury to Kevin Durant.
“So, it was a waiting game,” Barnes said. “I just stayed ready, working out in LA, hanging with my kids. I got a call when I was at their [basketball] practice and then coach [Steve] Kerr called me at about 10 o’clock that night and I was on a plane to Chicago the next day.”