Does Leandro Barbosa Want Out Of Phoenix?

(Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images)
If you read Leandro Barbosa’s quote in the Brazilian sports newspaper, Lance (and who doesn’t get and read Lance on a daily basis? I know I learned Portuguese to do just that) you probably are a bit concerned about LB’s status here in Phoenix.

Not only does Barbosa question Steve Kerr and the wisdom of the Shaq trade he also comments on the possibility of him rejoining Mike D’Antoni in New York:

“With the arrival of Shaq, we lost our speed - our main characteristic,” Barbosa said. “We didn’t have time to mesh. This ended up hurting us. Shaq will be very useful, but it’ll be necessary to change the way the team plays.” When asked to comment on speculation that he will wind up with Mike D’Antoni on the Knicks, LB replied, “It’s not a rumor. I will play where I have to play. It’s business.”

Although Barbosa questions the Shaquille O’Neal trade he brings up valid points. The Suns did lose their run and gun ways and it did hurt them down the stretch. But in pointing out the fact that it is “necessary to change the way the team plays” is he pointing out that he may not fit into the system anymore and wants out?

By saying that the rumor that the Suns may send him to New York is “not a rumor” and that he “will play where [he] has to play” is he hinting that a deal could be in the works?

Barbosa is one of the very few tradeable commodities that the Suns have, so a trade wouldn’t seem completely out of the realm of possibility. If the Suns could land a first round pick or a true backup point guard in a deal to New York, New Jersey or anywhere else it would make sense.

Mike and Dan D’Antoni tended to coddle Barbosa in his development, development which regressed last season. With a new coaching staff the same attention may not be afforded to Barbosa and a trade may be best for both he and the organization.

Than again maybe it’s a miss understanding and things were just lost in translation.

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