Oklahoma City Thunder: Time to trade for J.J. Barea

The Thunder beat the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Of course the good guys won. J.J. Barea didn’t play for Minnesota. The Puerto Rican point guard is a Thunder killer. Google J.J. Barea, and the third time item up is “Timberwolves Stun Thunder Behind J.J. Barea,” the St. Paul Pioneer Press’ account of Minnesota’s Dec. 21 victory.

Minnesota Timberwolves’ J. J. Barea (11) drives against Denver Nuggets’ JaVale McGee (34) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at the Target Center, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)

Barea missed the game Wednesday night due to back spasms. He plays on a team with Luke Ridnour and Ricky Rubio, so Barea is part point guard, part combo guard, whole instigator. Good things happen when Barea is on the court.

So good, I think the Thunder should trade for him. The Thunder needs a backup point guard. More than that, the Thunder needs some bench strength. The Thunder bench, which has been such a strength for going on three years, has withered. Beyond Kevin Martin and Nick Collison, not much there. Hasheem Thabeet is OK as the No. 4 big man, but Eric Maynor’s return from reconstructive knee surgery has been painfully slow. He’s a shadow of his former self. Sophomore Reggie Jackson shows flashes but hasn’t progressed to where the Thunder can count on him come playoff time.

Barea would fill the void. He’s a whisp of a point guard. Not a great facilitator, but OK. An excellent driver and scorer. Circle K would find himself open on the wing often with Barea in the game.

Barea was a big part of the Mavericks’ drive to the NBA championship in 2011. Then Dallas retooled and didn’t re-sign Barea. He went to Minnesota and signed a four-year contract. He has two years left on his deal. Barea makes $4.493 million this season, $4.687 next season and $4.519 in 2014-15. That’s manageable money for a player who is so productive.