ORLANDO, Fla. — Matt Barnes’ first visit to Central Florida as a member of the Orlando Magic lasted only 19 hours, from late Thursday into mid-afternoon Friday — barely long enough to visit team headquarters at RDV Sportsplex, speak with Stan Van Gundy and talk face-to-face with local reporters.

But in that brief period, Barnes learned what his new role with the defending Eastern Conference champions will be. Van Gundy told Barnes that he’ll be asked to guard dangerous scorers such as LeBron James and Paul Pierce. And, if Rashard Lewis continues to start at power forward, Barnes will compete with Mickael Pietrus for the starting job at small forward.
“I feel that I’m going to bring a lot of energy, a lot of toughness, a defensive mindset, someone that can make plays and knock down open shots,” Barnes said. “This is all the qualities I have in my game, and all the things that the Orlando Magic stress. So I feel that this will be a good fit.”
During his 13-minute news conference on Friday, Barnes, a former star wide receiver in high school, spoke often about the toughness he hopes to bring to the Magic. But he also revealed a softer side.
A tattoo beneath his left ear displays the names of his 9-month-old twin boys, Carter and Isaiah. On his right wrist, he wears a red bracelet that features the name “Ann” surrounded on each side by a heart; the bracelet is a tribute to his mom, who was diagnosed with cancer on Nov. 1, 2007, and died 26 days later. He called his mother’s illness “the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my life.”
Slowly, he has learned to cope with her absence. After struggling with the grief during the 2007-08 season with the Golden State Warriors, he enjoyed a resurgence last season with the Phoenix Suns. With Phoenix, he posted career-high averages of 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers all expressed interest in signing Barnes this summer. But Orlando had at least one edge: Both Barnes and Dwight Howard are represented by the same agent, Aaron Goodwin, and Howard texted Barnes to tell him the Magic wanted him. It may have been a coincidence, but Barnes said the Magic’s offer came later that day. The signing was announced on July 23.
“I thought this was my best opportunity to win a championship with the strides they made last year and all the young talent they have,” Barnes said.
Barnes and Goodwin said the deal is for two years and includes a player option for the 2010-11 season. The contract likely is worth between $1.5 million to $1.7 million per season.
Orlando General Manager Otis Smith said that at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Barnes will give the Magic another strong defender who can guard bigger guards and forwards.
Van Gundy said, “From the offensive end of the court at least, the thing he probably brings to us the most in terms of a need we had is his ability to pass.”
Barnes, 29, could come off the bench for the Magic. Brandon Bass could start at power forward, and Lewis would shift to small forward as a result. In such a scenario, neither Barnes nor Pietrus would be in the starting lineup.
Training camp, when different lineups will be tested, will start on Sept. 29.
“I wish the season starts tomorrow,” Barnes said. “I’m ready and excited about it.”