Barbosa joining Warriors staff as ‘player mentor coach'

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Leandro Barbosa -- who played for the Warriors during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons -- is returning to the Bay Area.

"The Brazilian Blur" announced on Instagram on Monday that he will serve as a "player mentor coach" on Steve Kerr's staff.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFILACAFfAu

"I guess I am ready for a new beginning, a new road, nevertheless I will continue with the good old orange ball. The transition will be quick, as it always has been to me. It is a great joy to announce my return to the Golden State Warriors as a PLAYER MENTOR COACH," he wrote. "I have no doubts I will feel right at home, after all, it was always like that as a player and it has been that way ever since.

"I couldn't be more motivated and engaged. I know that I will be surrounded by brilliant professionals and I will do everything in my power to collaborate with the development of players and with the entire organization.

"I am very grateful for the invitation and mainly for the confidence they have placed in the work that I can do."

It's unclear when Barbosa will begin in his new role, or what exactly it will entail.

The Warriors are allowed to continue with individual workouts at Chase Center this week, with group sessions beginning next Monday.

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Barbosa entered the NBA as the No. 28 overall pick in the 2003 draft. He averaged 18.1 points and 4.0 assists with the Phoenix Suns during the 2006-07 season, and was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

The 37-year-old scored 13 points in 17 minutes during the Warriors' pivotal Game 5 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015 NBA Finals.

Welcome back, Leandro.

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