The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent guard Leandro Barbosa to a contract, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.
Barbosa, 31, appeared in 20 games with the Phoenix Suns last season, averaging 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18.4 minutes per contest. The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native spent the first part of the year with Sao Paulo-based Pinheiros/Sky, tallying averages of 15.9 points and 3.1 assists in eight Brazilian League games.
An 11-year NBA veteran, Barbosa owns career marks of 11.9 points, 2.3 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 23.7 minutes in 649 games (111 starts) with the Suns, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics. The 6’3” guard, who ranks 23rd among active players in three-point percentage (.390), has made postseason berths in six of his 11 campaigns (five with Phoenix, one with Indiana), helping the Suns to Western Conference Finals appearances in 2005, 2006 and 2010. In 2006-07, Barbosa earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award after posting career highs of 18.1 points and 4.0 assists to go with 2.7 rebounds and 1.20 steals in 80 games (12 starts) with the Suns, converting on 43.4 percent of his three-point attempts (7th in the NBA).
Originally selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round (28th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft, Barbosa played professionally in Brazil from 1999-2003, making his professional debut with Palmeiras in Brazil’s second division in 1999-2000 and earning Brazilian League Rookie of the Year honors with Baura Tilibra in 2001-02. He recently competed with the Brazilian National Team in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, averaging 11.9 points in seven games and helping Brazil advance to the quarterfinals.
The Warriors roster currently stands at 18 players.
