NBA veteran Matt Barnes took to social media moments ago to announce his retirement from the league after "a cool 15 year run." Barnes, 37, last played during the 2016-17 season as a member of the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors, who he joined after being waived by the Kings.
The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Barnes out of UCLA in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft, but he was immediately traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who then assigned him for the D-League. He played in the ABA in 2003 and parlayed his performance into a roster spot with the Los Angeles Clippers for the second half of the 2003-04 season. He remained in the NBA ever since that season.
In total, Barnes played for nine different organizations throughout his career, including the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers.
He averaged 5.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 20 appearances during the regular season with the Warriors last season. He wasn't utilized much once they made the post-season but he still has a championship ring to show for it.
He announced his retirement on IG with the following caption,
"Had a cool 15yr run!! Traveled the world met alota cool people, some will be brothers for the rest of my life! BUT NOW....
You telling me I can dress like this for business meetings & make more money off the court than I made ON?? & spend more time with my kids??!!Ha... MEEEEE the one that wasn’t suppose to be shit & ended up making it!! Let’s Do it!
Love me or HATE ME, I DID IT MY WAY!! 🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽haha #LifeAfter #NextChapter #YourFavoritePlayersOG #BillionaireBy50 #GODISGOOOOOOD"
