Initial reports indicated that free-agent guard/forward Matt Barnes were leaning towards signing with an NBA title contender. Instead, he chose the Toronto Raptors.
According to a report on ESPN.com, citing Barnes’ Twitter account, the swingman will leave the Magic and has agreed to join the Raptors for the 2010-11 season.
Barnes had been linked to several teams over the past couple of weeks including the Celtics, Heat and most recently the Cavaliers before deciding on signing with the Raptors.
Last season with the Magic, the seven-year veteran averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. His contract is rumored to be valued at $10 million over the next two seasons.
The signing of Barnes is just the latest of moves in a busy offseason for Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo. Although they lost free agent Chris Bosh to the Heat, they were able to work out a sign-and-trade that got them two first-round draft picks. The Raptors also dealt Hedo Turkoglu to the Suns getting guard Leandro Barbosa in return.
