Report: J.J. Barea Close To Buyout With T-Wolves, Wants To Return To Mavericks
Minnesota Timberwolves guard J.J. Barea is nearing a buyout agreement as his tenure with the team has reportedly been in question for some time. From ESPN’s Marc Stein:
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the process of finalizing a buyout for veteran guard J.J. Barea that should enable Barea to become a free agent early next week, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that Barea will be waived by the Wolves before Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline for teams to cut rosters down to 15 players and possibly as early as Sunday.
Sources say that the Dallas Mavericks, meanwhile, are planning to re-sign Barea next week once he clears waivers. Barea is expected to clear because his salary-cap number for the coming season is $4.5 million.
Barea averaged 8.9 points and 3.4 assists per game off the bench for the Dallas Mavericks when they made their 2011 championship run. He signed a four-year, $18 million deal with Minnesota as a free agent after Dallas won the title.
The Mavericks would have to waive a player to make room for Barea on their roster. It was reported they will do the same to sign Charlie Villanueva.
