HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly signed J.J. Barea from the defending champion Dallas Mavericks. While it is certain that numerous jokes will flow regarding David Kahn and his love of signing point guards, this is a good move for Minnesota.

Remember, it is a new world in the Timberwolves front office and new head coach Rick Adelman is heavily involved in all roster decisions. An overwhelming majority of Timberwolves supporters were excited about Adelman’s hiring and, if that is the case, you must allow him to put together a roster he believes gives the Timberwolves the best opportunity to compete and win.

Barea is a fine player, as well as a great locker room guy, who will be a great example to the younger Minnesota players. He will show them how to play with everything they have at all times through his example and will also show them how to be professionals both on and off the court. He plays within himself at almost all times, makes the right play and is aggressive. These are all very valuable lessons for the young Timberwolves to learn.

With Ricky Rubio’s arrival in Minnesota, the signing of Barea seems to indicate two things immediately. First of all, the starting point guard position will go to Rubio from Day One, allowing him to learn on the job. All reports from Timberwolves training camp indicate Rubio is picking things up well and is adjusting well to playing against his Minnesota teammates, but one of the major stories for this season will be to see how he adjusts when playing against the rest of the NBA.

Secondly, Barea’s signing also would seem to indicate that Luke Ridnour should be on the move soon. While Ridnour is also an above average back-up point guard, one train of thought claims his value may come in packaging him in a trade with Michael Beasley to see what the Timberwolves could get with the two of them together. With Derrick Williams ready for his rookie season in the NBA, he and Beasley are somewhat redundant and Beasley is coming off an extended off-season due to the lockout where his name surfaced in many unflattering reports. After one season in Minnesota, it may be time to cut their losses with Beasley and packaging Ridnour with him may make what the Timberwolves receive in return more appealing since Ridnour is respected around the league.

With the NBA in business for only less than a week at this point, there has been a lot of news of player signings and trades. The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to try to upgrade their talent and make themselves much more competitive. With the need to sign Kevin Love to his contract extension in the very near future, the importance in improving quickly becomes even more important in order to give Love more incentive to stay with the Timberwolves.