Wolves notes: Team expected to buy out Barea, keep Robinson

The Timberwolves are expected to waive veteran guard J.J. Barea to reach their 15-man roster limit by Monday afternoon's NBA deadline.

The Wolves on Sunday worked to reach a buyout agreement on the remaining $4.5 million year on Barea's contract, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

Barea's departure would leave a spot for rookie forward Glenn Robinson III on the final roster, which must be submitted to the league office two days before the Wolves open the regular season at Memphis on Wednesday.

Wolves coach and basketball boss Flip Saunders said after Friday's preseason finale that he envisioned a specific role for Barea playing behind fellow point guards Ricky Rubio and Mo Williams.

That role included a performance such as the one Barea delivered in a 113-112 comeback victory over Chicago that night in St. Louis. Barea played all of his 12 minutes in the fourth quarter and scored 11 points to lead the Wolves back from a 13-point deficit with fewer than eight minutes left in a one-point win.

Saunders also made clear that role probably would not include playing every game, which was an issue for a player who infamously sulked when he was removed from a game in the fourth quarter last season.

"That's what he can do," Saunders said Friday night. "If he can accept a role, he can become a very valuable individual for you. Hopefully, guys know we're going to play the guys who help us."

Apparently, the two men decided Sunday that Barea wouldn't be content with that role.

Barea practiced with the team at Target Center Sunday afternoon. ESPN.com reported later Sunday afternoon that Barea hopes to sign with Dallas, his former team, after/if he is released and clears waivers.

"No question, I see a role here for me," Barea said Friday. "I'm a different type of player than they have on the team. … I want to play every night, I'm not going to lie. I want to help this team out every night as much as I can. But it all depends on the situation, and that's a decision Flip has to make."

Barea's presence would have given the team point-guard insurance and another proven veteran with an NBA championship ring. Corey Brewer, a teammate on that 2011 Dallas title team, and Ronny Turiaf are the others with rings.

Robinson is yet another wing player on a team thick with them, but Saunders on Friday called him a certain NBA player who has "huge upside."

Both Andrew Wiggins and Shabazz Muhammad participated 100 percent in Wolves practice Sunday and are expected to be fine with the season opener just two days away. Wiggins missed the final three preseason games after a hard fall on his butt Oct. 19. Muhammad dealt off and on with a sore heel.