Puerto Rico’s Barea Set To Be Cut By Minnesota Timberwolves
Despite a strong showing in the recent 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, Jose Juan Barea of Puerto Rico could be let go by the Minnesota Timberwolves after recent news that the Minneapolis franchise will be signing rookie Glen Robinson III, who was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft.
Minnesota Timberwolves beat writer for the St. Pioneer Press tweeted the development on Tuesday.
League source says the Glenn Robinson III deal with #Twolves has been agreed to, but has not yet been signed. Working to finalize now.
— Andy Greder (@twolvesnow) September 16, 2014
Once Glenn Robinson III signs, #Twolves will have 16 players with guaranteed contracts. Further writing on wall that J.J. Barea is on outs. — Andy Greder (@twolvesnow) September 16, 2014
The speculation came after it was confirmed that Robinson III is indeed signing a contract in Minny as per Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.
Robinson III arrived in Minnesota to sign his contract today, and will join the Timberwolves for the start of training camp, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) September 16, 2014
Before the Robinson III’s signing, the Wolves already have 15 players under contract. The guard depth chart is expectedly loaded. At the point guard spot, Ricky Rubio will be the starter and Mo Williams will be the primary back-up putting Barea as the third string PG. At the shooting guard spot, the Wolves have rookies Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine with veteran Kevin Martin also pegged to get minutes.
Barea can play a little bit of the 2-spot depending on the match-ups but the acquisition of Robinson III could mean that the Puerto Rican will be the odd-man out when the final roster cuts are considered. Only 15 players are allowed in an NBA team roster.
Additionally, Barea is on the final year of his deal worth just over $4 million— making him an easy target for a buyout assuming no other team will be interested in trading for him potentially for future second rounders.
It is a curious development for Barea, who led Puerto Rico in scoring, 22.0 points per game and assists, 3.2 assists per game. Puerto Rico was ousted with a 1-4 record after the group phase in the basketball world cup.
The departure of Kevin Love netted Minnesota young stud Andrew Wiggins in the offseason and along other still young core of Rubio, Nikola Pekovic and others, cutting Barea would make sense for a squad hoping to instil youth and rebuild from scratch.