Phoenix Suns trade rumors 2016: Leandro Barbosa returning for third run

Nikko Villanueva |Sunday, July 10 2016

(Reuters/Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)Veteran forward Leandro Barbosa (left) is leaving the Golden State Warriors after reportedly reaching a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns.

A familiar face is returning to Arizona this free agency with veteran guard Leandro Barbosa rejoining the Phoenix Suns after agreeing to a two-year deal that will earn him $8 million.

Barbosa made the announcement through a photo posted on Instagram which came with a lengthy message.

#DubNation!!! Playing for the @Warriors was an honor and I will forever cherish my two years here with my teammates, coaches, front office members, ownership, and, of course, the fans. The Warriors and their fans are first class, and to be a part of our championship in 2015 and our 73 win team this past season were some of my most exciting times of my life. I am so grateful to the entire organization, for taking a chance on a player who was coming back from an ACL injury and was trusted to play for such a team. It's bittersweet leaving, but I am just as thrilled to return to Phoenix @Suns, another home for me! Until next time #DubNation #NewChapter #BeepBeep #ThankYou Família Dubnation: Jamais o Warriors deixará de fazer parte de mim. A história de vocês é a minha história. Jamais vocês deixarão de estar em meu coração e em meus pensamentos. Agradeço muito por todo carinho, respeito e admiração de cada um. Cada atleta, membro da comissão técnica, diretores e essa inesquecível torcida, o meu sincero muito obrigado! A vida de atleta profissional é dessa forma e precisamos entender nossos caminhos e desafios, mas todos vocês serão inesquecíveis em minha vida! Serei eternamente grato por tudo que vivi, aprendi e construí junto a cada um de vocês. Fica aqui, meu manifesto de felicidade por ter tido essa fantástica experiência de defender, vestir e vencer com esse time. Muito obrigado!! #BeepBeep

A photo posted by Leandrinho Barbosa (@theblurbarbosa) on Jul 6, 2016 at 10:56pm PDT

A National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran, Barbosa spent the past two seasons with the Golden State Warriors. Playing for the Dubs, he won his first and only championship in the 2014-15 season.

Before resurging with the Warriors, Barbosa first made a name for himself during his early years in the league seeing action for the Suns. The 33-year-old began his NBA career with the Suns in 2003 and his first stint with the franchise ended in 2010.

After leaving Phoenix for the first time, Barbosa had stops with the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics.

In the 2013-14 season, Barbosa made a brief return to the Suns before again parting ways with the organization following the season.

Barbosa's time with the Warriors began in September of 2014 and concluded in the previous season where they made it to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year. Unfortunately, they failed to defend the title they won in 2015, losing to the current champs Cleveland Cavaliers.

Now, Barbosa heading back to Phoenix is good for the organization. Similar with a number of teams in the NBA, Phoenix has a young core and the Brazilian veteran can help guide these new players, especially guard Devin Booker.

Besides this, Barbosa also has momentum since he is coming from the Warriors who have been successful in the last two seasons.

The addition of Barbosa is so far one of the major moves the Suns accomplished this off-season. Unlike most of the teams in the NBA, Phoenix rarely joins conversations involving big names either in free agency or potential trade deals.