Now It’s a Barry, Barry Good City

A day after landing forward Rick Fox, their No. 1 off-season target, the Lakers on Wednesday moved to solidify the backcourt and, as expected, signed free agent Jon Barry to a one-year deal worth $272,250.

Barry chose to come to Los Angeles, where his younger brother Brent plays for the Clippers, rather than re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks. He is expected to become the fifth guard with the Lakers, essentially taking Byron Scott’s place off the bench at shooting guard while also becoming third string at the point behind Nick Van Exel and the improved Derek Fisher.

“This team has a five- to seven-year window to win the whole thing,” Barry said. “They’re young and they’re only going to get better from last year to this year. I want to win. I’ve played in this league for five years and have only been on one playoff team.”

That was 1996-97 with the Hawks, when he averaged 4.9 points, two assists and 16.6 minutes. Barry, 28, has also played with the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors, establishing a reputation for backcourt versatility and three-point range.

Meanwhile, Executive Vice President Jerry West has left open the possibility that Jerome Kersey will re-sign with the Lakers, even after the arrival of Fox. Kersey has not ruled it out either, but he probably will spend the next several days determining how the new roster would affect his role and then make a decision next week.

“We would love to have him back,” West said. “But what will happen, I’m not sure. He has to make some decisions. But we’d love to have him back.”