HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Dallas Mavericks will receive their NBA championship rings in a ceremony before their Jan. 25 home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It's not a coincidence that former Mavs fan favorite J.J. Barea will be in town. Owner Mark Cuban wanted Barea to be able to take part in the ceremony. Barea, a key role player during the Mavs' title run, signed a four-year, $19 million contract with the Timberwolves after the Mavs only made him a one-year offer because they wanted to maintain financial flexibility next summer. "It's good that J.J. will get to be here," Cuban said of the ring ceremony. "It'll be fun." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jose Juan Barea 

J.J. Barea couldn't conceal his exuberance after he and the Timberwolves doused the Mavericks 99-82 Sunday. When it was over, the former darling of the Mavericks was beaming. "It was awesome,'' he said. "I'm so proud of my team right now. They did such a good job. It feels so good to beat your old team. We did a great job tonight. We were consistent. They made a run and Kevin (Love) came back with some good shots after Dirk made his run.'' Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jose Juan Barea 

New Timberwolves guard J.J. Barea will test his healing hamstring Sunday and then use that information to decide whether he's fit to play that night against a Dallas team he won an NBA title with last season. The question is whether he'll listen to his head or his heart. "I've got to make it with everything," he said after practicing Saturday. "I want to play. It's looking good for tomorrow, but I want to make sure I'm fully ready to go." His head tells him now -- just one week into a demanding, shortened 66-game season -- is no time to risk aggravating such a delicate type of injury. "You don't want it to keep bothering you the whole season, especially when we got seven games in 10 days coming up," he said. "We've got a lot of games." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Jose Juan Barea 

Ira Winderman: J.J. Barea declared out tonight for Timberwolves due to hamstring. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Jose Juan Barea 

Timberwolves guard J.J. Barea said he was "OK" with the NBA's decision Friday to reduce Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum's five-game suspension to four games for his flagrant foul on Barea in last season's Western Conference semifinals. The 5-foot-11 Barea was playing for Dallas when Bynum slammed him to the floor late in the fourth quarter of the decisive Game 4 in Dallas. "He didn't really mean it," Barea said of Bynum's hit, which generated an outcry around the league. "It was in the heat of the moment. He apologized to me later. He's a good dude." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrew Bynum, Jose Juan Barea 

Chris Palmer: The NBA's ruling will save Andrew Bynum about $138,000K. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrew Bynum, Jose Juan Barea 

Ray Richardson: Barea OK with league reducing Bynum suspension to 4 games. "He didn't really mean it. He apologized to me. He's a good dude." Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Jose Juan Barea 

Jerry Zgoda: As Twolves_PR just tweeted, Rubio and Barea are not on team's flight to Milwaukee now and won't play tomorrow night vs. Bucks Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Jose Juan Barea 

He didn't do so by choice: Dallas owner Mark Cuban declined to offer a multi-year contract after last spring's title run because he wants to save salary cap for next summer's bountiful free-agent class. The Mavs didn't re-sign center Tyson Chandler, either. "I didn't feel good, I just didn't understand why he was going the way he's going," Barea said. "We won it and that's what everybody dreams about, winning a championship, you know? I thought the thing was to do it again with your same teammates, but it didn't happen so you just have to forget about it and keep going." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Jose Juan Barea 

Here's one quote that didn't make the story about the Wolves' courtship of him, that 4-year, $19 million deal they offered and why he's here. "Nobody came even close," Barea said. "Minnesota always wanted me the most, both money-wise and talking-wise. I thought we had a lot of talent here. We can do some good changes. The coaching staff, the sytem they play also came in (to play). I like the way he coached in Houston, the way he coached in Sacramento. I also think that made a big part of it fit." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Jose Juan Barea 

The Minnesota Timberwolves are welcoming J.J. Barea into the fold, hoping he can bring veteran poise and leadership to one of the youngest teams in the league. ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Jose Juan Barea 

J. Michael Falgoust: Barea: Im here to help the team in whatever way I can if it’s starting or coming off the bench.... I don’t anticipate anything #Twolves #nba Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Jose Juan Barea 

JJ Barea on signing with Wolves: It's a relief. Y can be more relaxed now. I can start to enjoy basketball again. El Nuevo Dia

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Jose Juan Barea 

Jose Juan Barea: "Honestly, (the decision) was not so difficult. It was my moment. I'm 27 and peaking and you have to take advantage of that. I would love to be with a contender, but this is a job and with this I guarantee the future of my family." Primera Hora

Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Jose Juan Barea 

Barea had offers from New York - one for $5 million and two, the other for $9 million in three years. Primera Hora

Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Free Agency, Jose Juan Barea 

"I was attracted to the idea of playing in New York. There are many Puerto Rican fans there that wanted to see me with that uniform and I liked their system a lot. But it wasn't even close. The money difference was too big." Primera Hora

Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Free Agency, Jose Juan Barea 

Love heard that Barea, who helped Dallas win the NBA championship last season, was close to signing with the Wolves and said he would be a welcome addition to the team. "He doesn't have the size and length we were hoping for, but he can help out Ricky (Rubio) and Luke (Ridnour)," Love said of the 6-foot Barea after Monday's practice. "What we're looking for is veteran leadership. We're looking forward to having him." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Love, Jose Juan Barea 

Raul Alzaga: Jose Barea (Jose Juan's uncle): "Dallas just lost four million fans." Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Jose Juan Barea 

Jose Juan Barea: "I'm going to leave my soul and hear with Minnesota." Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jose Juan Barea 

David Aldridge: Source: Timberwolves finalizing four-year deal with J.J. Barea. Check the Hang Time Blog. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Jose Juan Barea