Report: Timberwolves tried to trade J.J. Barea to 76ers, might release him

The Minnesota Timberwolves wanted to trade J.J. Barea to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Timberwolves traded power forward Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett on Saturday.

The Minnesota Timberwolves wanted to trade J.J. Barea to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Thaddeus Young deal, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Jerry Zgoda.

After the Timberwolves made official on Saturday their trade of power forward Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota also sent Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Alexey Shved and a first-round pick to Philadelphia for Young.

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Zgoda reports Minnesota tried to include Barea and his $4.5 million expiring contract in the trade with Philadelphia, but the 76ers reportedly preferred Mbah a Moute because of his friendship with fellow Cameroonian and 2014 No. 3 pick Joel Embiid. According to Zgoda, if the Timberwolves are unsuccessful in trading Barea, they could buy out his contract.

Barea, 30, averaged 8.4 points and 3.8 assists last season for Minnesota in his third season with the team. He played the first five years of his career with the Dallas Mavericks, winning a championship with them in 2011.

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