Timberwolves Waive Guard J.J. Barea
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- Minnesota Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said that the team has waived guard J.J. Barea in order to get down to the roster limit of 15 players.
Earlier today, CBS Sports reported that Wolves were going to buy out Barea, who according to reports wants to sign with the Dallas Mavericks, who he played for from 2006 up until 2011, when he signed a contract with the Timberwolves.
The four-year contract was reportedly worth more than $17 million.
Barea had one year and $4.5 million remaining on his contract. But Saunders didn't believe there would be as much playing time for him this season with Ricky Rubio and Mo Williams entrenched as the team's top two point guards.
"In talking with J.J. and his representatives over the past few days, we came to the conclusion that this was the best outcome for both parties," Saunders said. "He was a consummate professional throughout his time in Minnesota, and we thank him for his leadership both on and off the court. We wish him well in his future endeavors."
As WCCO's David McCoy tweeted, the waiver makes for an opening night roster boasting seven players with less than two years of NBA experience.
Barea struggled for much of his time in Minnesota, where he was miscast as a prototypical point guard. Barea was at his best as a mini-shooting guard in Dallas and he could return to the Mavericks.
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