J.J. Barea is happy he wasn’t traded by Minnesota Timberwolves

Feb 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves point guard J.J. Barea (11) reacts after a foul call against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Timberwolves 120-113. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves point guard J.J. Barea (11) reacts after a foul call against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Timberwolves 120-113. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves point guard J.J. Barea (11) reacts after a foul call against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Timberwolves 120-113. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves point guard J.J. Barea (11) reacts after a foul call against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Timberwolves 120-113. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

When the NBA trade deadline was approaching, it was looking like the Minnesota Timberwolves were going to trade J.J. Barea to acquire a piece that could turn around their season. That trade never happened but Barea is happy it didn’t happen.

The Wolves guard spoke with the Star-Tribune and noted that he thinks he’s in a good place with the Wolves and wasn’t ready to be traded to another team.

"“You never really want to get traded. I think I’m in a good situation here, and I think we have a good group of guys with a good staff.”"

Wolves fans may have a very different opinion of Barea, but the fact of the matter is he’s staying in Minnesota and fans have to deal with it. Barea hasn’t been totally unproductive, but there have been times where he’s drawn to wrath of Kevin Love for not sowing enough effort, which is a very bad thing.

Still, the Wolves failed to trade Barea at the deadline and he’s going to have to prove to fans he belongs in Minnesota for the right reasons and a not for cynical reasons.