Roster decision: Wolves finalizing Barea buyout

The decision clears final roster spot for Glenn Robinson III after both sides likely decided that the Wolves guard would not be happy with the role that coach Flip Saunders envisioned.

October 26, 2014 at 9:33PM
Timberwolves' J.J. Barea reacted to a call against the Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets Monday, February 10, 2014 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
Timberwolves' J.J. Barea reacted to a call against the Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets Monday, February 10, 2014 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. (Dml - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Yes, I can confirm ESPN.com's Marc Stein tweets this afternoon that the Wolves are working on an agreement to release veteran guard J.J. Barea by Monday's NBA deadline to submit final rosters.

That decision will get them down to 15 players afterthey waived Brady Heslip yesterday.

It also means they're keeping a roster spot for rookie Glenn Robinson III.

What it likely came down to is this: Flip Saunders wanted Barea on the team and envisioned a role for him, but it wasn't one in which he could guarantee Barea playing time every game.

Barea told me Friday he saw a role for him here but said he wants to play every game.

Inevitably, the two sides probably decided that neither be happy with the role Flip envisioned, hence the decision to pay off probably most of Barea's $4.5 million due this season.

I say probably most rather than all because Stein also reported that Barea is expected to return to Dallas where he won a NBA title in 2011 after/if he clears waivers.

The Mavs, though, would have to clear a roster spot to make way for him.


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Jerry Zgoda

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Jerry Zgoda covers Minnesota United FC and Major League Soccer for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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