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

Barea’s role changing?

Since J.J. Barea returned to Dallas in 2014, there is no doubt he has been one of the best backup point guards in the league. That was leading up to his Achilles injury last January. No matter the point guard carousel Cuban and Donnie Nelson threw at Rick Carlisle, the constant player in the backcourt was Barea.

Even with rookie and sophomore versions of Dennis Smith Jr. on the roster, J.J. was the steady hand which steered the ship with the ball on his fingertips. Luka Doncic was the difference maker as a rookie, regardless of the point guard slotted in the same lineup as the 2018-2019 Rookie of the Year winner.

However, impressively so, Barea put up a career-high 47.5 assist percentage with Doncic being the focal point of the offense. The adaptability of Barea, a 34-year-old under six-foot guard, is astonishing. Although the fiery passion of the Pride of Puerto Rico will keep Barea hungry for playing time, his recovery from the Achilles injury is the main obstacle.

While the Mavericks let free agent hopeful Patrick Beverley escape its crosshairs, they did add backup guard Seth Curry to the mix. Jalen Brunson isn’t slated as the starting point guard. Luka could very well start at the one, but Barea shouldn’t be depended on for significant minutes. Given his age and injury, needing Barea could be problematic for the Mavs.

Coach Rick Carlisle will absolutely find a way for Barea to get playing time with the young core of Doncic and Porzingis once the green light is given by medical staff.

In the event Barea doesn’t play another game for Dallas, his tutelage towards the younger guards and locker room presence is still worth a roster spot. Look for the Dallas Mavericks to spend the majority of its focus on Jalen Brunson over Mavs fans darling J.J. Barea.

J.J. Barea will more than likely see playing time, but realistically speaking, it won’t be as the leader of the second unit like the Mavericks are accustomed to witnessing throughout the point guard’s ten seasons with the Dallas Mavericks.