The Sports Informant

Sorry Kings fans, like many NBA players, Sacramento native Matt Barnes wants to win a championship. The veteran will do whatever it takes to do that, and took a huge step in the right direction much to his hometown’s dismay, joining the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

The free agent decided to forgo searching for a long-term contract to settle for a season with the Lakers, signing a one-year deal worth $1.7 million with Los Angeles.

He’ll try to come off the bench and be a spark for the Lakers, a role he proved quite worthy in doing in Orlando recently, and one Los Angeles hopes he can continue.

A deal with Toronto fell through, forcing Barnes to look for other options. Signing with the Lakers doesn’t provide any long-term stability in his career.

“It’s frustrating, because obviously you want that long-term security for your family,” Barnes told the Associated Press. “It would be nice to have that security and a place to call home … but God has a plan.”

Still, playing alongside Kobe Bryant instead of against him was too appealing to pass up, even if it’s only for a year. The two sent texts to one another leading up to the deal, and when Bryant emphatically welcomed Barnes’ decision, it became a no-brainer.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a young kid watching basketball to play with one of the best players ever in the game,” Barnes said of playing alongside Kobe Bryant. “After eight years, I’m finally done guarding him, except in practice. Now he’s going to be hitting game-winning shorts for us.”

Barnes will wear No. 9 for the Lakers next season. His return to Sacramento, an area he loves, will be interesting, now as a member of the hated rival. Sacramento fans, however, have a soft spot for players in their returns, as was evident time and time again in instances like Mike Bibby’s with Atlanta and Peja Stojakovic’s with New Orleans. Barnes’ welcome should be no different.