Matt Barnes had plans of returning to the Los Angeles Clippers this summer, but they didn't work out the way he envisioned it.

Barnes spoke on The Vertical Podcast about his conversation with Clippers head coach Doc Rivers who said he'd keep a roster spot open for him if he wanted to return.

“Doc and I were supposed to go to dinner on a Tuesday, and on Monday, I see that they sign Wesley Johnson. And I'm thinking to myself, OK. It's going to be a little tight at the small forward position, but I'm all for competition.”

Rivers quickly signed another player at the same position, in which he later told Barnes there wasn't enough money to bring him back.

“I'm thinking to myself, ‘you ran out of money, or you gave it to someone else?'”

Barnes ultimately signed with the Sacramento Kings for two years at $12 million, partially to remain close to his children who live in Los Angeles.

The Clippers appeared to have gone with the younger player. Barnes is 36-years-old, and averaged 10 points and 5.5 rebounds last season with the Memphis Grizzlies.