Suns sign free agent Matt Barnes

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

The sixth-year NBA veteran signed for the league’s veteran minimum contract ($1.2 million, about $400,000 of which is paid by league funds) and will immediately step into the rotation as either a starter or bench player on the wing. He will be in Phoenix to take his physical on Monday morning and is expected to finalize his deal afterward.

“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 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 playoffs. He averaged 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in just less than 20 minutes last season and was not offered a new deal by the revamped Warriors.

The 28-year-old Barnes, who at 6-foot-7 is known for his quickness and athleticism in the Shawn Marion mold, immediately gives the Suns more options at either the small forward (Grant Hill was the starter last season and is penciled in again this year) and even depth at power forward. He has improved his outside shooting considerably over the years and gives the Suns another 3-point shooting threat – although his numbers did dip lat season.

Barnes made $3 million last season with the Warriors was believed to be out of Phoenix’s price range when free agency began. But as time moved on and available money around the league began to dry up, Barnes and the Suns began serious talks this week during the Vegas Summer League. They were able to reach a deal on Sunday.

After making 106 3-pointers and shooting 36.6 percent from behind the arc, Barnes slipped to 29 percent last season (53-for-181). But his speed will add some needed kick to the Phoenix fast break and his shot will help with spacing issues.

The Suns have now added Barnes and rookie Robin Lopez to their top seven returning players from last season – Leandro Barbosa, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Hill, Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal and Amare Stoudemire.

The Suns are still looking for a backup at point guard and another big man for depth.

Kerr said he remains optimistic that second-round pick Goran Dragic can be a Sun in the fall, despite his comments last week to a Spanish newspaper that he expects to play for Tau Ceramica. “That’s not a door we’ve closed by any means,” he said.

There could be some definitive news on the Dragic situation within a week. Sam Cassell, Damon Stoudamire and Jason Williams also remain as free-agent possibilities as a veteran backup to Nash.

The big man spot could be filled by one of two holdovers – Sean Marks or Brian Skinner – although the Suns could go in a different direction entirely as the free-agent market continues to evolve.