It feels like Matt Barnes has played for just about every team in the NBA. Heck, it feels like Barnes has balled for teams that don’t even exist any longer. One thing Barnes has never done is played pro ball in any league other than the NBA. Just think about that statement for a second.
Barnes is a career journeyman, no doubt about that. However unlike many NBA travelers Barnes has never played for any other league in the States or any other league outside of the States.
No thanks to the lockout that piece of pride could be done for Barnes. With talks looking unlikely to yield a deal Barnes is bracing himself for a life of basketball in another country. He told the L.A. Times as much just a couple days ago.
"“I’ve scratched and clawed to stay in the NBA. My goal has always been not to go overseas. Going overseas isn’t a punishment. It’s a chance to play. I’m still battling that in my head to make it OK. It’s been a roller coaster for me to stick in this league. My goal from Day 1 was not to go overseas to play basketball because I know I’m good enough to play here. But now that basketball is not going on here, going overseas is an option if the lockout lingers.”"
Like all NBAers Barnes is just going through it this lengthy offseason. Aside from his inability to go to work, Barnes is also rehabbing a knee injury that affected his first season as a Laker. There is also that bit of news that Barnes has ended his relationship with one time fiancée Gloria Govan.
But that all will be quickly forgotten if the miracle of all miracles happens and a new CBA falls from the heavens. I wouldn’t hold your breath on that one.
Whatever happens guys like Barnes have to start making plans for their immediate future. He’s surely made some nice coin playing pro ball but nothing like the Kobe Bryants of the world that can weather a year without a hoops paycheck.