HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ryan Wolstat: Leandro Barbosa walked in to the ACC. I asked him if his Brazilian buddy Nene was signing with Toronto. "No man, it's too cold." #raptors Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Leandro Barbosa, Nene 

Brazil guard Leandro Barbosa has said good-bye to the fans of Flamengo, the club he played for during the NBA lockout. The high-scoring guard, who is returning to the Toronto Raptors, is under contract with the Canadian club for one more season. "I don't have the words to thank the fans," Barbosa said. "I was welcomed with open arms and I will never forget the kindness I received here. "They will be forever in my memory. It was a very special and happy moment of my career." FIBA.com

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Brazil 

Leandrinho Barbosa: Dude, I received the news from my wife. I was sleeping and she was in the hairdresser. She called me and woke me up already crying. It was shocking. We weren't waiting for it. We were planning a big Christmas with our family and I dont think it'll happen anymore. Still not oficial, but it's unfortunate. Basketeria

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Lockout, Brazil 

Leandrinho Barbosa: This moment here with Flamengo was very good for me, even as a basketball experience. I am very happy to have had that special moment. The opportunity given by the Flamengo. But I'm under contract and I have to go back. Basketeria

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Lockout, Brazil 

Leandrinho Barbosa: I want invite all my team, and NBA players to came at Brazil in my first game in gavea against Paulistano you are welcome#FLA Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Lockout, Brazil 

The president of the Brazilian Basketball Federation said that there is a possibility that NBA players Leandro Barbosa and Nenê don't make the team to play the Olympic Games in London 2012. El Vocero Hispano

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Nene, Brazil, Olympics 

He said is up to Argentinean coach Ruben Magnano to make the final decision, but he thinks the only NBA player that should go to the Olympics is Anderson Varejao, who didn't play the pre-Olympic tournament because he was injured. El Vocero Hispano

Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Nene, Brazil, Olympics 

The Raptors have lost another player, but this one will come back if the NBA season gets played. Guard Leandro Barbosa has signed with Brazilian club Flamengo. Barbosa’s deal has an NBA out that will be activated whenever the lockout ends. Swingman Sonny Weems has already signed to play in Lithuania for the entire season, with no lockout provision. "I'm delighted to play in Brazil after so much time, 'cause Brazilian basketball improved a lot in recent years," Barbosa said. "I had proposals from China, Turkey and other countries. But I was sure I'd be happy here." Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Lockout, Brazil, Sonny Weems 

Leandro Barbosa is going to join Flamengo (Brazil). Globo Esporte

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Lockout, Brazil 

When the lockout ends, Leandro Barbosa will return to play for the Toronto Raptors. Globo Esporte

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Lockout, Brazil 

Leandro Barbosa: "I thank the Brazilian Basketball Confederation, once again, for the confidence and consideration of calling me to play for the Brazilian National Team in the 2011 season. I regret to inform you that due to personal reasons this time I cannot attend this call. There always will be, for me, above all things, pride and honor to wear the Brazilian jersey. Thanks again for the consideration and trust that this institution has placed in me over these 10 years playing for the Brazilian team, and I hope that the CBB can understand." BasketBrasil

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Brazil 

Toronto Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo told QMI Agency Saturday afternoon that Barbosa has picked up his $7.6 million U.S. player option for the 2011-2012 season. Barbosa beat a midnight deadline to make a call. There had been speculation Barbosa would play in his native Brazil since a looming lockout threatens to wipe out the NBA season. London Free Press

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo, Leandro Barbosa 

Raptors guard Leandro Barbosa was on his way to meet Parker at a local club Tuesday night when he was told about his team’s trade conversations with the Spurs. Barbosa, who believes the Raptors talked with the Spurs, didn’t end up meeting Parker, but planned to have dinner with him on Wednesday. “I told him [via text message], ‘Are you going to play with me?’ ” Barbosa said. “He said, ‘Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.’ “I would love to play with him. You never know what can happen in the NBA. I guess we got to wait and see what’s up.” Yahoo! Sports

San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Tony Parker, Leandro Barbosa 

Would it be a dream come true to play in Brazil? Is the money comparable? Has a player of his stature ever played in Brazil? He is living his dream playing in the NBA, however he has not forgotten his roots and where he comes from. Artur Barbosa: He is proud to be Brazilian and would be honored to play on a Brazilian team. He has had the chance to play on the national team and enjoyed it. The money can be comparable depending on the situation and structure of his contract. Brazil has a strong economy and if he has to choose between not playing basketball because the NBA is locked out and playing in Brazil (or Europe) he will choose to play. He is a competitor and wants to compete. ESPN.com

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Brazil 

Artur Barbosa: There has been talk of the possibility of the Raptors offering a multi-year deal so that we can stay here, however as things stand today, no formal offer has come from the Raptors. So at this time we are looking at what is being offered in the marketplace. HoopsHype

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa 

Artur Barbosa: We have received offers from different teams in Brazil and while we are in the final stages of negotiations with them, we have yet to come to a final agreement. We are also aware of the heightened interest from many of the top European teams and are definitely open to that possibility. There are several factors that the European teams have indicated that show their interest in Leandro. For example, Leandro’s game suits a European style because of his great shooting ability and many teams in Europe would love a skilled offensive player such as Leandro. HoopsHype

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Brazil 

Artur Barbosa: We will analyze their offers but we also need to make a decision soon (within the next few days). Leandro will be a valuable asset to any club that he plays for; the clubs in Brazil know this and the teams in the Euroleague also know what he can do for them. HoopsHype

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa 

Brazil national team coach Ruben Magnano named a roster of 20 players who will play at two tournaments for the Brazil selection committee before the roster is trimmed down to 12 players for the pre-Olympic tournament in Argentina. Magnano, who was formerly the coach of the Argentina National Team, named several NBA players to his roster, including San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter. Splitter will join Toronto's Leandro Barbosa, Cleveland's Anderson Varejao and Denver's Nene. Several longtime Brazil team members, Marcelinho Huertas, former Spurs guard Alex Garcia and Marcelino Machado will also be competing for the final 12 spots. ProjectSpurs.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Tiago Splitter, Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Brazil 

What will happen with Leandro Barbosa? Bryan Colangelo: I know that he is considering testing the free agent market or to go back to Brasil. At the moment, I don't know anything about this at all. I haven't spoken to his agent yet. But at the same time, if he tests the market, we are in a position to give him a multi-year contract. After all, he's one of my favorite players. Basket USA

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo, Leandro Barbosa 

Flamengo would be the favorite to land Leandro’s services, according to Artur, with Corinthians also a possibility. “Right now, we are waiting for proposals from Brazil and we would make a decision after that,” Artur said. “He could stay in Toronto, he could go to Flamengo during the lockout and then return for the rest of the season or he could sign a long contract in Brazil.” HoopsHype

Toronto Raptors, Leandro Barbosa, Brazil