After 15 seasons in the league, NBA journeyman announced his retirement Monday afternoon. Barnes hadn’t played in the 2017-18 season, and most recently suited up for the Golden State Warriors last season when he won his first NBA Championship.
Coming from UCLA, Barnes was drafted in the second round of 2002 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies before being immediately traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he never played for the Cavs. He was assigned to the NBA Developmental League, and joined the Fayetteville Patriots.
Barnes spent a season with the Patriots and then another with the Long Beach Jam of the American Basketball Association. With the Jam, he played with Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman and won the ABA Championship.
(Getty Images)
In 2004, Barnes finally broke into the NBA and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Over his career, he averaged 5.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 20 minutes and played for nine teams. Those teams included the Clippers, Warriors, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Memphis Grizzles.
From a statistical standpoint, Barnes found his most success during a second stint with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2012-15. During the 2014-15 campaign, he started 74 games and averaged 10.1 points.
Throughout his time in the NBA, Barnes developed a reputation as one of the most physical players in league and often played to role of “enforcer” on the court. He once said that “violence isn’t always the answer, but sometimes it is.” Barnes was one of the most fined players during his time in the league and accrued of $150,000 in fines from the league.
Off the court, Barnes has been running a foundation that helps raise money for cancer patients. He also is working with UCLA to create a scholarship for cancer survivors who are prospective students.
Barnes said that it’s been a “cool 15 year run,” in a post on Instagram this morning. “Traveled the world met alota cool people, some will be brothers for the rest of my life!”
