Barnes: It's up to Phil

Matt Barnes said today he feels he's ready to play again, but that it's up to Lakers coach Phil Jackson as to when the small forward is fit enough to return to the active roster. Barnes, who is recovering from right knee surgery, is scheduled to practice Monday, participate in Tuesday's shootaround and then practice again Wednesday and Thursday. He wasn't immediately certain whether he could play Friday against Charlotte, however.

Said Barnes: "It's just to be back with the team and to get out of the house a little bit. My progress is very good, but now it's up to Phil. I feel good. I want to be in it for the long haul. When I'm back I want to make sure I stay back. Everybody wants to make sure it happens. I definitely going to have to catch my wind. There's no additional swelling to my knee. Just got to be ready when I'm back. It's not up to me, but hopefully soon. It feels great to be back around the guys and feel like I'm part of the team again. It's been rough. It was my first injury."