MONDAY, 8:21am: It’s almost a certainty that Barea will re-sign with the Mavs for the $2.814MM room exception, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter link). The Mavs believe that they’re making progress toward a deal, according to a source who spoke with Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. That source suggests the possibility of a three-year deal that includes a player option, but a three-year deal would be impossible on the room exception, and his Non-Bird rights would only allow for a salary of 120% better than the minimum.
FRIDAY, 4:06pm: The Mavericks and free agent J.J. Barea are close to an agreement that would allow the veteran to return to Dallas, David Aldridge of TNT reports (Twitter link). The length and terms being discussed are not yet known, but Barea is seeking a three-year arrangement, Aldridge notes.
Dallas has been optimistic that it would be able to land Barea, but was waiting for other free agents to make their decisions first, noted Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. The Heat were the Mavs’ strongest competitors for the 31-year-old’s services, Aldridge adds.
Barea appeared in 77 games for the Mavs last season, including 10 as a starter. His averages were 7.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 17.7 minutes per game, and he owned a slash line of .420/.323/.809. Through 586 career contests, Barea’s numbers are 8.2 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 3.4 APG.
Wonder if he’ll end up starting, at least on a part-time basis. The Mavs don’t have enough cap flexibility left to chase a point guard that’s much better, and if it’s not Devin Harris, Barea’s probably the guy, barring a trade.
No bird rights for Barea. Only non-Bird.