Wolves president of basketball operations and head coach Flip Saunders made it official today, announcing J.J. Barea had been waived after the team reached a negotiated buyout with the veteran guard.
That means Barea will be free to sign with another team, and that Flip decided to go with rookie Glenn Robinson for the final roster spot. For Saunders, the decision came down to the direction he wants to take the team.
"We thought it best to go in a different direction," Saunders said. "J.J. has been a consummate pro. I thought he had a very good training camp for us, and played really well in the preseason. He's been a pro, he's done everything we asked him to do. And so we wish him well moving forward."
But the Wolves have committed themselves to developing their young roster.
"I think it was a situation that, with Mo Williams coming in, [Barea} didn't feel he'd get as much of an opportunity," Saunders said. " And we also felt that Glenn Robinson has a chance to be a very good player in this league. And so what happens is, when you make a decision as an organization to go in a certain direction… you either have to be committed to it or not.''
Barea is reportedly interested in signing with Dallas, the team he was with before coming to the Wolves., after he clears waivers.
Barea spent three seasons with the team. He averaged 11.3 points in each of his first two seasons here, 8.4 points per game last season. Barea was due just over $4.5 million this season, the final year of his contract.
That means that Ricky Rubio and Williams will handle the bulk of the point guard duties, with rookie first-round draft pick Zach LaVine as the No. 3, though Saunders indicated that the team likely wouldn't need a third point guard that often. "But Zach would be the third [point] guard in that situation," Saunders said. "As we get into it, we simplify game plans as we go in, so it will be easier for Zach to play in those situations as we move forward.''
