Glenn Robinson III provided the Timberwolves nice value when they drafted him in the second round, so signing him was a must.
But now that they’ve done that, they’re in a jam.
Minnesota has 16 players with guaranteed contracts. The regular-season roster limit is 15 players.
It appears J.J. Barea is the odd man out.
Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com:
#Twolves still hope to move Barea. But told they are open to buying him out.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 16, 2014
The Timberwolves tried and failed to dump Barea on the 76ers in the Kevin Love trade. I don’t see how Minnesota will have an easier time dealing him now.
Coming off his worst season since he burst onto the scene with the Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals, Barea is due $4,519,500 in the final year of his contract. The 30-year-old appears to have lost just a bit of quickness – killer for a 6-foot guard who relies on his first step.
If Minnesota waives him, Barea will likely get interest elsewhere as a third point guard on a minimum contract. His previous success still buys him some benefit of the doubt, and a contender could see him as a nice-change-of-pace point guard.
The Timberwolves have had plenty of roster upheaval this summer and might not have known they were headed toward 16 guaranteed contracts. But they’ve known they’re ready to move on from Barea, signing Mo Williams in July.
