Longtime Dallas Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea revealed that he already has plans after his NBA career as a player ends. The Puerto Rican point guard is set on becoming a coach as soon as he feels like he can no longer play in the league, which is still some time away, per Mavs.com:
“I still feel like I want to play. I know I can play. But later on in my career, in a couple of years, I’ll definitely be on the coaching staff with Dallas.”
Barea is a 13-year veteran and has played all but three years with Dallas. He has become a staple for the Mavs franchise, and it seems like he has been playing in Dallas for closer to 20 years than 10.
Barea has always been seen as a solid floor general and the leader of the Mavs' second unit. Head coach Rick Carlisle has relied on Barea for years to take charge of a bench unit that almost always surpasses expectations.
Despite his diminutive height, Barea has persevered in the league through grit and toughness. He is known for taking a bush-league clothesline from Andrew Bynum during the Mavs' championship run in 2011 and crashing hard to the floor. He still made the shot, and Bynum was ejected for the egregious hit.
If Barea can translate some of this toughness to his players as a coach, we could see him for many more years on the Mavs' bench. For now, he's working his way back from an Achilles injury and is hoping to continue playing.
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