OAKLAND, CA -- Leandro Barbosa's veteran presence off the bench will be staying in the Bay Area. The Brazilian guard agreed with the Golden State Warriors on a one-year, $2.5 million contract late Monday afternoon.
Barbosa spent the 2014-2015 season in Golden State, coming off the bench to score 7.1 points per game, as well as dishing out 1.5 assists per game in 66 appearances. He did start once, and for his efforts he was able to hoist the NBA trophy this past June with the NBA Champion Warriors.
The 32 year-old was drafted back in 2003 by the San Antonio Spurs, but was traded on draft night to the Phoenix Suns for a pick that ended up to be David Lee. Barbosa spent eight seasons in Phoenix, and then was traded around for the next two seasons, playing stints in Toronto, Indiana, and Boston. Phoenix re-signed him in January 2014, and Barbosa played well enough to warrant a contract from the Warriors come that September.
And now he will stay there for at least another season, finally re-providing him with some stability in his NBA career.
Golden State's NBA Finals run was great in 2015, and they look to be set for another strong attempt at a championship in 2015-2016. GM Bob Myers has already extended the contract of Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green to a five-year, $85 million agreement.
Kevin Looney fell to the Warriors at the 30th selection in the 2015 NBA Draft in Brooklyn just a couple of weeks back. Looney will help provide increased depth to this stockpiled Golden State roster.
As a twelve-year veteran, Barbosa will be able to offer key leadership and experience to this relatively youthful organization, and maybe Steph Curry and him could learn a few things from each other at the point.