WALTHAM -- Leandro Barbosa wants to put the trade request rumors to rest once and for all.
"Not true, never said that I wanted to get traded or any of that talk that you guys saw in the media," he said Saturday prior to practice. "I'm happy here, and I knew it was going to be the situation I'm in. I didn't say that."
This week ESPN Brazil reported Barbosa had requested a trade from the Boston Celtics. He is averaging 10.8 minutes over 30 games this season for the C's.
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"I had an interview, but it wasn't nothing about me coming back to Brazil or something like that," he said. "It was just how was the situation here in Boston, and I was happy about it and waiting for my chance to come."
Barbosa was surprised when he learned of the report. He has not spoken to the media outlet since then, instead letting his older brother talk to them. His priority was discussing the matter with Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge and clearing the air.
"I was (surprised), I was," Barbosa said. "They even said that I was maybe coming back to Brazil to play in Brazil, like leave Boston to play. It's strange for me. It is what it is. I don't know who said that. It wasn't me. I talked to Danny, Danny knows what it is, and I'm happy here."
The guard is looking to put the report behind him and move on.
"The most important thing is that I'm here, happy, we're winning games, we're going to the playoffs, and it's everything great, organizations, fans are ridiculous great," he said. "I'm happy here."