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09:41 AM ET 09.15 | Chris Paul recruited Matt Barnes. Blake Griffin forgave him. And with that confluence of events, the former Lakers small forward officially became a Clipper on Friday, signing a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum of about $1.2 million. Barnes was already in enemy territory a few weeks ago when he worked out with Paul at the Clippers??? training facility. "Chris Paul was talking about how tough we were going to be next year, assuming I was a Laker," Barnes said in a telephone interview. "I told him I was a free agent and he said, "No, you're about to be a Clipper.' " Barnes said the All-Star point guard pitched signing Barnes to Clippers management, though there was one potential hang-up: Barnes had shoved Griffin to the floor during a preseason game last December, earning a flagrant foul. So before agreeing to acquire the nine-year veteran, Barnes said, the Clippers checked with Griffin to receive his blessing. Barnes said he also spoke with Griffin on Thursday.

Matt Barnes, Ron Artest, Blake Griffin, Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

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September 15, 2012 10:19 AM ET

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Going Back To LA's Second Team, Bro?

I Love LA

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September 15, 2012 11:06 AM ET

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Originally posted 10:50 AM ET 09.15 by G-B

Not bad for the Clippers. They can use Barnes to irritate the other SGs and SFs playing against them. That includes Kobe, Manu, DWade, Lebron, Pierce, and Melo...

Barnes can't stop any of those guys.