Former NBA guard Will Barton will sign with CSKA Moscow for the rest of the season, according to Eurohoops.
The 33-year-old has been a free agent since finishing last season in Toronto. He averaged 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 56 total games with the Wizards and Raptors. Barton auditioned for the Warriors and Pelicans in September, but didn’t land a job with either team.
Barton will become the most prominent player to sign in Russia since the beginning of the war with Ukraine in February of 2022, the Eurohoops report notes. He will be limited to VTB League competition because Russian teams are currently sanctioned from the EuroLeague.
“First of all, I’m grateful for the opportunity to play for this team,” Barton wrote on the CSKA Moscow website. “I’ve only heard good things about the club and the fans. I’m very glad to have the chance to meet my teammates, coaches, fans, organization and wonderful people from Moscow. I am willing to invest the time and effort to compete and win at a high level. I can’t wait to come and start working.”
The 40th pick in the 2012 draft, Barton played for four teams in 11 NBA seasons, spending most of his time in Denver. He averaged 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 679 games.
Pack your weed pen.
SMH nothing says desperation playing in a country at war with a dictator as the political leader who already prisoned another basketball player to use as a negotiating deal.
Lmao what an absolute clown. Any respect Barton had from playing in the NBA is likely gone from his peers and fans
Hope he doesn’t do anything wrong and end up in prison. He’s no Griner
He’s a solid player. Cant believe he’s not on nba roster. It just shows how competitive it is to make the team every yr. Kudos to Barton to continue to make a living playing basketball. Russian basketball or people are not Putin.
Of course they aren’t. No one is saying that. But that doesn’t make it ok. Similar to it not being for Mickelson et al to play for the Saudis. Barton is making it clear what side he is on here.
Mercenary