Dallas Mavericks: Complete grades for the 2019 NBA offseason
By Phil Watson
Re-signing J.J. Barea
This move came as a bit of a surprise from the Dallas Mavericks, considering J.J. Barea turned 35 last month and is coming off a torn Achilles — often the kiss of death for guards.
Barea re-signed for one year and $2.6 million and the veteran told NBA.com earlier this month that he is on target to be ready for the start of training camp — just eight months after his injury.
"“I feel really good. Every week, the workouts get better and faster and stronger. I feel good about starting training camp ready to go. I’m doing basketball. Pick and roll. I’m jumping rope already. I should be (jumping full speed) in the next couple weeks.”"
Barea was his productive self even in limited minutes last season, putting up 10.9 points and 5.6 assists in just 19.8 minutes per game, shooting 41.8 percent overall, but just 29.7 percent on 3.4 3-point attempts a night — the second lowest percentage of his 13-year NBA career.
Barea is a fan favorite in Dallas, where he has played 10 of his 13 seasons — five years from 2006-11 and again since 2014, with a three-year tour with the Minnesota Timberwolves in between.
He knows his role is to spark the offense and run the show off the bench. Of his 802 career appearances, Barea has made only 101 starts — never more than 18 in a season — and he plays his role well.
Or he did until the Achilles injury.
Barea has pulled out of the FIBA World Cup after helping Puerto Rico qualify, showing he still can lead a team after all these years with a vintage performance in Americas qualifying play.
It’s a low-risk deal for a player who will likely remain around the NBA for years to come after his playing days are over — there’s no mystery about the fact Barea plans to enter the coaching ranks — and with a dearth of young point guards on the roster, it’s not a bad idea to have a steady hand on board.