Kings Waive Matt Barnes - Signs With Warriors

[key2win]

Sacramento Kings expected to waive Matt Barnes to create post-trade roster space

The Sacramento Kings have waived veteran forward Matt Barnes to create the necessary roster room to complete their DeMarcus Cousins trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, general manager Vlade Divac announced Monday.

The Kings released Barnes because they needed an extra roster spot so they could take in the three players they are acquiring from the Pelicans in the Cousins deal: Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans and Langston Galloway.

Barnes, who is averaging 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game this season, has racked up nearly $400,000 in fines from the NBA since 2011. His future with Sacramento had been considered tenuous since his involvement in an altercation at a Manhattan nightclub after a Kings loss in New York in December.

Barnes faces misdemeanor assault charges that are pending in New York as a result of the altercation. A related civil suit has been filed against Barnes and Cousins in a New York District Court.

Barnes, who grew up in Sacramento, was in the first year of a two-year deal worth $12.5 million and is known to be a favorite of Kings coach Dave Joerger after their time together in Memphis.

[key2win]

Matt Barnes agrees to sign with Golden State Warriors in wake of Kevin Durant injury

A firm injury diagnosis on Kevin Durant is not expected before Wednesday, but the Golden State Warriors have already lined up Matt Barnes to step in as a potential Durant fill-in, the veteran swingman confirmed to ESPN.

Sources told ESPN that the Warriors, in the wake of the hyperextended left knee Durant suffered Tuesday night at Washington, quickly reached out to Barnes and made arrangements to sign him later this week.

Barnes told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that he will sign a rest-of-the-season deal with Golden State as opposed to a mere 10-day contract.

"It's a dream come true!" Barnes told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears. "I feel like I helped start something in '07 and now I'm coming back to help finish it."

In an Instagram post late Tuesday night, Barnes called this "the happiest day of my life" after the birth of his children.

Barnes spent two seasons in Golden State, from 2006-08.

Sources said Golden State, to make roster room for Barnes, will be forced to abandon its plans to sign Jose Calderon on Thursday after Calderon clears waivers.