DALLAS (AP) – The Dallas Mavericks have re-signed point guard J.J. Barea, who will get significantly more money to provide depth behind newcomer Deron Williams because center DeAndre Jordan backed out on a deal to join Dallas.
Barea had agreed to return to the Mavericks for two years and less than $6 million but the deal was sweetened to four-years and $16 million after Jordan’s rejection of the Mavs’ offer of a four-year, $80 million max contract left Dallas with extra salary-cap money. Jordan opted to re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 31-year-old Barea, whose return was announced Thursday, spent last season in Dallas after three years in Minnesota. He joined the Timberwolves after Mavericks owner Mark Cuban chose not to bring back several key pieces of the 2011 championship team.
Barea played his first five seasons with Dallas after making the team as an undrafted free agent.