Leandro Barbosa wants to return to NBA, has possible interest in Washington Wizards

Oct 30, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Leandro Barbosa (12) dribbles past Miami Heat point guard Norris Cole (30) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Last season went far worse than Leandro Barbosa ever expected.

The NBA veteran wasn’t getting a ton of playing time for the Boston Celtics, though, finally found himself in the starting lineup after Rajon Rondo tore his left anterior cruciate ligament. But just days later, Barbosa did the same, ending his season – which wouldn’t even conclude in Boston.

The Washington Wizards, doing everything they could to rid themselves or Jordan Crawford called up the Celtics and asked if they’d take him off their hands. The Celtics said they would if the Wizards took Barbosa, to which they agreed fully knowing Barbosa would never play a game for them, at least not during the 2012-13 season.

Barbosa was essentially nothing more than human cash, but now relatively healthy, he’s ready to return to the NBA and it sounds as if he wouldn’t mind becoming teammates with his close friend, Nene:

"“I was happy to be in Boston with [Kevin] Garnett, [Rajo] Rondo, [Paul] Pierce, all those guys, they are legend for me and I learn a lot of things from them. But to me, it was always a dream to play with a Brazilian player, especially Nene.”"

There is no word if the Wizards are interested in re-signing Barbosa to a contract where he could play with his Brazilian-born friend.

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