Matt Barnes gave up the chance to win two rings with LeBron James and Wade to play with Kobe Bryant

Former NBA player Matt Barnes revealed to Shannon Sharpe that he turned down the chance to play with the Miami Heat during Lebron James’ era.

Barnes told Sharpe during an episode of ‘Club Shay Shay’ that he had the chance to play with Miami, but wouldn’t have given up on the chance to play with Kobe Bryant in LA.

“I was literally talking to Pat Riley and D Wade and they’re talking about building something here. There are words from him [James] come and words come from Bosh,’ said Barnes. “It’s right off the bat for me and I’m literally having conversations with Pat Riley.”

Barnes had just finished a season with the Orlando Magic in which he averaged 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds.

One day I get a phone call. I’m still chilling in Orlando and getting a call from a number I don’t know,” Barnes continued. “And I never answer my phone. And I just picked up the phone and it’s him [Bryant]. ‘

“He’s like it’s Kob… We start going back and forth and he asks me what I’m doing. And I literally tell him I’m a little back and forth, I’m talking to Miami now. He’s like “nah f*** Miami, you wanna be a Laker.” And I’m like hell yeah, and four days later I was a Laker.

Sharpe then asked Barnes if he thought No 8 Bryant or No 24 Bryant was a better player. Barnes played against Bryant when he wore the former and with him when he wore the latter.

“I’d pick 24. Just because as a person he was off the track more often,” Barnes said.

Barnes then goes on to talk about how he took less money and missed two NBA finals in Miami, admitting he wouldn’t trade that for the chance to “become brothers” with Bryant.

“I wouldn’t give that up for the chance to play with Kob. I wouldn’t exchange it for money or rings,” he said.