2017 Mavs Training Camp Profile: J.J. Barea

It’s hard to believe that J.J. Barea is entering his ninth season with the Dallas Mavericks. Fans will always remember Barea’s incredible play that helped propel to their first and only NBA Championship in 2011.

During the 2011 offseason, Barea signed a four-year, $19 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But, in 2014, Timberwolves negotiated a buyout of the $4.5 million left on Barea’s contract, paving the way for a return to the Mavs.

Through Barea’s first eight seasons with the Mavericks, he’s been a reliable point guard that a lot of teams have found to be a pest. He’s usually the smallest guy on the court, but one could definitely make the argument that when on the court, he has the biggest heart.

In 11 seasons in the NBA, Barea has career averages of 8.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game. 

2016-17 Season in Review

The 32 year-old, Barea spent most of last season on the sidelines with a nagging calf injury that limited him to just 35 games.. Through the first 18 games of the season, he recorded a career-best 12.2 points per game before going down with the injury. He returned in late-January, only to suffer a setback that forced the Mavs to sign guards Jonathan Gibson, Pierre Jackson, and Quinn Cook to help fill the void in the Mavs backcourt. Barea later returned in early-March, finishing the season with averages of 10.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game.

2017-18 Season Outlook

Barea will be on a roster that has a number of point guards who can do different things. Between Dennis Smith Jr., Seth Curry, Devin Harris, and Yogi Ferrell, Barea will need to stay healthy as he competes for playing time in a loaded Mavs backcourt. His veteran leadership and experience will play a vital role in helping young guards Yogi Ferrell and Dennis Smith Jr. establish themselves in the NBA.

As long as Barea is healthy, Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle will continue to use him as a key player in the Mavs rotation. Barea wants to continue his rough and tough play that has propelled him throughout his career.