Keep or Kick Mavericks’ Free Agents: J.J. Barea

The Dallas Mavericks potentially have ten players hitting the market this offseason. And if past seasons have shown us anything, a roster overhaul is not out of the question.

We’ll look at every Mavericks free agent and decide if Dallas should attempt to keep them on the roster or to kick them to the curb.

We’ve looked at Tyson Chandler, Monta Ellis, Al-Farouq Aminu. Now…the small point guard who plays big.

Mar 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach

Rick Carlisle

watches as guard Jose Juan Barea (5) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard

Matthew Dellavedova

(8) at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Barea

Season Averages: 7.5 points, 3.4 assists, 42% FG

The late offseason acquisition became a big part of the Mavs rotation. When the Mavs brought J.J. Barea back to Dallas, his impacted was expected to be limited due to the depth at guard. But with Raymond Felton going down and Rajon Rondo not panning out, Barea went from fourth string point guard to starter in the postseason.

Barea averaged 30.8 minutes against the Houston Rockets and put up 11.8 points and 7.4 assists in the five games.

Like every other offseason, the Mavs will look to bring in a starting caliber point guard. With the team’s priorities somewhere else, will Barea be an afterthought?

Apr 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea (5) celebrates making a basket against the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Barea: Keep or Kick?

Kieran Hairell: Keep ‘Em. Mr. Puerto Rico. The Bynum Banisher. The Laker Killer. The Pesky Point Guard. Seriously, how do you let J.J.B. go? Negotiate a fair deal and bring him off the bench as a back-up. No harm, no foul. Plus, when playoff time comes you’ll have the equivalent of a Caribbean hurricane … ok, tropical storm … at your disposal.

Charles Hughes: Kick. While he still holds a place in my fandom’s heart, I don’t think re-signing Barea makes much sense assuming the team doesn’t find a way to trade Felton or use the stretch provision on him.

There are too many other areas of need. The one caveat I’ll add is that if Barea is willing to take something near the veteran’s minimum, it could be worth it, although I’d probably still prefer to see that going to one of the team’s areas of need.

Aaron Clements: Keep ’em (sorry, Rami). J.J. is a dirt-cheap PG option who brings energy off the bench. He’s provided for the team in the past, and he shows no signs of slowing down. I’d like to keep him as a 3rd or 4th guard option, but if he wants much more than the vet minimum, kick ’em.

Brandon Moore: Kick. As much as he’s loved by all the Mavericks fans still reminiscing that 2011 championship run, its time to go. With point guard being easily the deepest position in the NBA, there are very many replacement options for JJ that would make more sense.

Even if we can’t find a better player at the backup point guard spot, at least get a guy out there with potential that Rick Carlisle can develop.

Jason Lee: Keep! His work. His tenacity. His double-double in the Playoffs Game 4 (NO THANKS TO RONDO!). I don’t want to see him skipping town for the second time and after all experiences he’s had with this league, you might think J.J. holds some indignation toward the doubters that made his path so difficult because of size. Nah. He plays his best basketball in Dallas and expecting him to take a fair deal with this team is inevitable.

The needs for young blood on this team is in critical state, but it absolutely won’t hurt to have a player in Barea’s caliber on cheap contract.
Anything but that, in a situation where Barea is so eager to take bigger money elsewhere, I’ll try my luck with other ‘short’ player, Nate Robinson.

Rami Michail: KICK. KICK. KICK. KICK. KICK.

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