The Suns put a shot of energy into what had been a sleepy free agency period by signing ex-Golden State small forward Matt Barnes to a one-year contract.

Barnes signed for the league's veteran minimum contract ($1.2 million, more than $400,000 of which is paid by a league fund) and will immediately step into the rotation as either a starter or bench player on the wing.

"He's the perfect player for us, an athletic guy who runs the floor, finishes at the basket and can shoot the outside shot," Suns general manager Steve Kerr said. "He's also a guy who has had big games in the playoffs for Golden State and likes the big stage."

Barnes, 28, had a big season in 2006-07 and played a vital role in Golden State's huge upset of top-seeded Dallas in the first round of the ...More