NBA free agency: Lakers reach out to Matt Barnes, according to report

The Los Angeles Lakers have reached out to former-Laker Matt Barnes, reports ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. Barnes signed a one-year, $854,389 contract with the Los Angeles Clippers after leaving the Lakers and is once again a free agent.

Barnes hinted multiple times during the season that one of the main reasons he did not return to the Lakers last season was head coach Mike Brown. Barnes averaged a career-high 10.3 points per game while serving as a key in the Clippers rotation.

Bringing Barnes back could be a cost-efficient option for the Lakers, who have a single $3.1 million contract in the mini mid-level exception to offer while only having the veteran's minimum to offer otherwise. With the amount of wing players they've targeted since the opening of free agency, Mitch Kupchak and the front office are clearly looking to sign at least one small forward to the roster.

With Earl Clark entering unrestricted free agency, the Lakers have only one small forward on the roster as currently constructed in Metta World Peace, who opted into the final year of his contract.

- Drew

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