The Dallas Mavericks reportedly plan to release veteran point guard JJ Barea, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

The Mavs anticipated making the move when they signed Barea to a one-year deal worth $2.6 million last month.

Sources said Dallas owner Mark Cuban wanted to reward JJ Barea, a key role player on the 2010-11 championship team who has played 11 of his 14 seasons with the Mavericks, for his contributions to the franchise over the years.

Barea remains determined to play in the NBA this season before retiring as a player and pursuing a career in coaching, sources said. The move is expected to be made official after Thursday's practice, granting Barea's request to be released sooner than later if it was a certainty that he wouldn't be on the roster after final preseason cuts.

Barea was part of the 2011 Mavs team that defeated LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals behind Dirk Nowitzki, who won Finals MVP. The 36-year-old Barea will finish his Dallas career with averages of 8.6 points and 3.8 assists in 637 games.

The feisty guard had two stints with the Mavs and will always be a fan-favorite in Dallas.

From 2011 to 2014, Barea played for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He currently has career NBA averages of 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 831 games with the Mavs and Timberwolves.

It's going to be interesting to see if Barea is able to land with another NBA team before the 2020-21 season starts on Dec. 22.