Former Dallas Maverick lands head coaching job in Puerto Rico

Former NBA veteran and longtime Dallas Maverick fan-favorite JJ Barea is embarking on his next journey. This time, it'll be on the sidelines.

As reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania, Barea has accepted a position to coach the Guaynabo Mets of the Puerto Rican Professional Basketball League.

Barea is a native of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. He went undrafted out of Northeastern in 2006 after four successful collegiate seasons. However, the Mavericks noticed Barea's talent, despite his unassuming stature, and signed him to a multi-year deal.

Former Dallas Maverick lands head coaching job in Puerto Rico

Although Barea's playing time was sparse in his first two seasons, he became a regular contributor in his third professional season. And as Mavs fans know, the rest is history.

Barea was a key cog on the 2011 championship team, as he averaged 8.9 points and 3.4 assists in 18.9 minutes per game as the backup point guard behind fellow head coach, Jason Kidd.

After Barea's success in Dallas, he signed a four-year $19 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But, after three years in Minnesota, Barea returned to Dallas.

From 2014 to 2020, Barea consistently produced at a high level for the Mavericks. His best season came as a 33-year-old in 2017-18. Barea averaged 11.6 points and 6.3 assists per game, both career highs.

After he retired from professional basketball, Barea worked for the Mavs as a player development coach in 2021. Earlier this year, Barea made it known that he would love to be a part of the Mavs organization.

However, coaching the Mets may be a step in the right direction for Barea if he does want to return to the NBA in a coaching capacity. The Mets currently roster a former NBA All-Star in DeMarcus Cousins, and a few players with NBA experience.

The Mavs' coaching staff has been in flux this off-season, so a role may have eventually surfaced for Barea. But without anything on the table, the former Maverick decided to man the sidelines back home in Puerto Rico.