Earlier in the week, the consensus was that the free agent small forward Matt Barnes was going to be headed to the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal with the Orlando Magic. The deal seemed set in stone, so much so, that Barnes posted on his Twitter account that he will be playing in Toronto next season.

Unfortunately, the deal hit a snag and ultimately fell apart as certain financial elements of the deal just didn’t work out. Now Barnes will be thrown back into the free agent market, but he has no lack of suitors as five teams are reportedly interested in signing the versatile forward.

The Toronto Raptors are still in the running to sign Barnes despite the recent deal falling apart, but they will be competing with the Cleveland Cavaliers and three legitimate title contenders in the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Personally, I believe he will be leaning towards signing with the Lakers. Not only because he will have a shot at winning an NBA title next season and in the years to come, but because he hometown boy born and raised in Santa Clara, California and played for the UCLA Bruins.

Obviously, anything can happen at this point as Barnes could quite possibly be playing with anyone one of these teams next season, but I believe signing with Los Angeles would be ideal and a perfect for the Lakers.

With the addition of Matt Barnes to the Lakers bench, the defending champs would have some much needed defense, offensive punch and outside shooting added to their squad. After not being able to sign Raja Bell, who joined the Utah Jazz last week, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak might be setting his sights on Barnes moving forward.

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