Dallas Mavericks: J.J. Barea medically cleared: Participating in 5-on-5

Dallas Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea suffered a torn Achilles last season. He was recently medically cleared to take part in 5-on-5. Read more here.

Dallas Mavericks fans were devastated on Jan. 11. The team picked up a four-point victory in Minnesota, but midway through the fourth quarter J.J. Barea went down. Everyone knew that it was a serious injury immediately. Quickly it was confirmed that Barea tore his Achilles.

The devastating injury left his NBA future in doubt. Would the 35-year-old veteran with 13 seasons under his belt want to continue playing? It became clear that he was committed to doing just that right away. Barea signed a one-year deal to remain with the Mavericks this offseason.

Fans got a bit of injury news on J.J. Barea from Dirk Nowitzki’s Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic on Sept. 15. Here is Brad Townsend with the latest.

The Mavs kick-off camp on Oct. 1. He will be less than nine months removed from his surgery. It is an ambitious timeline for Barea. The point guard played in the tennis event despite mentioning that he would be moving gingerly. Barea is feeling healthy and is ready to get back on the basketball court.

Fans want to know Barea’s role for the upcoming season now. Jalen Brunson did a fantastic job filling in for him last season. The Mavericks added Delon Wright in free agency to be their starting point guard. Could J.J. be on the outside of the rotation? That will largely depend on how close to 100 percent Barea returns in training camp. The Mavs could choose to bring him along slowly.

The 6’0 guard will be ready to help his team in any way possible. Keep a close eye on Barea this preseason. Ideally, he is see action in games and looks back to pre-injury form. Time will tell if that is the case.

Supporters should return often because The Smoking Cuban will have plenty more on J.J. Barea’s recovery plus all the opinions Dallas Mavericks fans desire but cannot find anywhere else.