Leandro Barbosa is getting another crack at the NBA.
Barbosa, 31, is expected to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns, the Arizona Republic reports. Barbosa has not played in the NBA since tearing his ACL last February as a member of the Boston Celtics, but has been lighting up the Brazilian league this season.
Eric Bledsoe‘s sprained knee created an opportunity for the Suns to bring in backcourt help, so they chose to turn to a familiar face.
“The Brazilian Blur” was a fan favorite during some of the Suns’ best years in the late-2000s. He averaged 12.6 points per game in seven seasons in Phoenix, claiming the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2006-07. He averaged 5.3 points per game in 41 appearances, including two starts, with the Celtics last season.
Pending a physical, Barbosa will get a week and a half to convince the Suns to keep him around for another 10 days and, eventually, possibly for the remainder of the season. The Lakers reportedly were interested in Barbosa as well before they signed another former Suns guard, Kendall Marshall.
