JJ Barea Returns to Mavs
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) -- The Dallas Mavericks have brought back yet another key piece of the 2011 team that won the franchise's only NBA Championship.
JJ Barea's greatest success, outside of the financial sort, happened when he was a rotation member for the Mavericks' 2011 NBA Championship team. Now, after clearing waivers from Minnesota -- which gave him a four-year, $18-million contract to leave Dallas -- he's a Mav again under the terms of what a source tells 105.3 The Fan's Mike Fisher is a one-year deal worth $1,310,286.
"We're delighted to bring J.J. back home,'' said Mavs GM Donnie Nelson.
To clear a roster spot, Dallas released point guard Gal Mekel.
"Talked to coach; talked to Donnie, and it wasn't an easy decision because we really liked Gal," said owner Mark Cuban with the Ben & Skin Show on 105.3 The Fan. "He improved dramatically, and we think he's got a real spot in this league."
Cuban likes the versatility that the 6-foot Barea brings, noting that the 30-year-old will likely see more time at the two-guard than at point.
"We know he's somebody who can drive the ball and maybe take some minutes from Monta [Ellis] more than on the point guard side," said Cuban. "When Raymond Felton gets back, JJ again being able to drive and compliment Raymond, and Raymond shooting. You'll see kind of a 4-man rotation depending on the matchups."
When Felton does return, head coach Rick Carlisle will suddenly have a lot of options at the guard position -- and fewer minutes.
"Coach's point was, look more competition is better," said Cuban. "Nobody can let up. If somebody is having an off day, we have someone there. Someone's not playing defense, we have somebody there."
Cuban says he consulted both Dirk and Monta before signing Barea, and that "everybody was positive" about Barea returning.
Barea, who signed as a rookie street free agent in 2006, became a hero in Dallas during the 2011 playoff run, particularly in the NBA Finals against LeBron James and the Heat.
Trailing the series 2-1, Carlisle made the decision to start Barea. The Puerto Rican native averaged over 13 points and almost 5 assists, as Dallas swept the final three games of the series.
Center Tyson Chandler was another key component of the title team. He returned via trade from New York this offseason.
Mike Fisher, @Fishsports, contributed to this report.
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