Dallas Mavericks: J.J. Barea will return, but things could be changing

Dallas Mavericks fan favorite J.J. Barea has reportedly agreed to remain with the team, but his role is yet to be determined.

The Dallas Mavericks had a slow beginning to free agency. Besides the five-year, $158M deal the Mavericks and Kristaps Porzingis agreed upon, Donnie Nelson and Mark Cuban didn’t do anything which warranted praise on day one. Pending free agent moves left role players such as J.J. Barea in limbo while dominoes fall, at least for the moment.

Dallas fans thought they acquired Luka Doncic‘s overseas teammate, Goran Dragic, in a three-way trade with the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers. Unfortunately, for all parties involved, the cap space didn’t make sense, and the three teams were sent back to the drawing board. However, The Athletic’s Dallas Mavericks insider, Tim Cato, reported Dragic was never the option for Dallas.

Instead of an All-Star guard, Dallas reportedly sought after Kelly Olynyk and Derrick Jones Jr., which isn’t a consolation prize to sell your fan base.

In light of an embarrassing first day of free agency, Dallas doesn’t have much more room for error moving forward. With that said, the deal which never was (a point guard who was never included?) gives J.J. Barea and Devin Harris chances of a roster spot more life.

The Mavericks are reportedly re-signing the fan-favorite point guard to a one-year deal, with the amount not yet disclosed. Shams Charania reported a veteran minimum deal, but Tim MacMahon stated it could be more depending on the Mavs cap situation.

Harris, on the contrary, seems to be a player on the move.

However, there are no guarantees until July 6, and as Mavericks fans unfortunately witnessed last night, nothing is promised in the zany world of NBA free agency. Dallas still has options, despite the players not being what the fans initially thought would be available in negotiations. Where does Barea fit into the Mavericks’ future?