Latest news with #JJBarea
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers' newly-acquired $215 million superstar could leave for Nuggets to help Nikola Jokic
While it may not be wise to look too far into the future, it isn't a poor idea to look two or three years down the road. The Los Angeles Lakers made a splash by acquiring a 26-year-old former Dallas Mavericks phenom on Feb. 2. All things considered, the second portion of Los Angeles' season was encouraging. Advertisement The franchise appeared to be a competent Western Conference ball club capable of causing damage in due time. However, suppose the Lakers' newly acquired 6-foot-6 superstar doesn't like the trajectory the Lakers are on in a few years. In that case, Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus has a hunch he could leave for the Denver Nuggets to help Nikola Jokic. "Jokic does have a strong relationship with the Lakers' star (Luka Doncic)," Pincus wrote Wednesday. "The thinking is that Doncic isn't the kind of player who prioritizes living in a big city like Los Angeles.' 'Even if Doncic does sign an extension this offseason, Denver might be able to jump in at the right time should Doncic eventually become unhappy in L.A. The Nuggets recently hired former Dallas Mavericks guard JJ Barea as an assistant coach. He earned the position on many levels, but he is also close with Doncic, just as Dorian Finney-Smith was.' Advertisement Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp 'The Lakers didn't show Finney-Smith the same respect this summer, as they weren't willing to surpass what the Houston Rockets gave him.' 'The Nuggets may not have as many titles as the Lakers, but the basketball attraction between Doncic and Jokic as teammates works both ways. The Nuggets may not have the draft compensation now to make that kind of deal, but in a few years, perhaps they will find a way to stock up.' Doncic's willingness to sign a long-term extension with Los Angeles this summer would show that he's all-in on being a Laker. Doncic, who was well on his way to becoming a Mavericks legend before the franchise completed arguably the most disrespectful trade ever, is slated to be the face of the Lakers once LeBron James retires. Advertisement The five-time All-Star isn't the speedster he was in his slimmer days. Still, his calm demeanor, one-step-ahead mentality, intelligence in high-ball screen situations, and ability to put his team on his back when the pressure elevates make him a generational NBA phenomenon. Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists with the Lakers this season, finishing with a 43.8% field goal shooting percentage and a 37.9% three-point shooting percentage. Although a Doncic and Jokic tandem in Denver would be captivating to witness nightly following James' inevitable exit from the NBA, it's unlikely Doncic will leave an organization that's planning to build a competitive future around him in a large market. More NBA: Nuggets may cut ties with $207 million star, acquire Lakers' four-time NBA champion forward
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mavericks Champion J.J. Barea Lands NBA Coaching Gig
Mavericks Champion J.J. Barea Lands NBA Coaching Gig originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Shortly before retiring from a 14-year NBA career in 2019, point guard J.J. Barea moved back to his native Puerto Rico to be the head coach of the Indios de Mayagüez in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. He spent a brief stint as a Dallas Mavericks player development coach before returning to Puerto Rico in 2023 to coach the Mets de Guaynabo. Advertisement Now, sources confirm that Barea will continue his young coaching career and return to the NBA as he joins David Adelman's staff with the Denver Nuggets as an assistant coach. Barea, 41, was a fan-favorite during his 11-year playing career with the Mavericks from 2005-2010 and 2013-2019. The 5-10 guard played for the Minnesota Timberwolves for three years in between those two stints. A dependable role player on both ends of the floor, Barea is best remembered for being a major contributor in the Mavs' 2011 NBA championship, averaging 8.8 points and 3 assists per game in the Finals series. He's an integral part in Mavs' lore having appeared in the starting lineup in the final three games of the series and providing much-needed gutsy defense against the LeBron James-led Miami Heat. Advertisement Barea was always respected for his upbeat personality and strong friendships with all of his teammates. He grew especially close with franchise stars Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic during their times together in Dallas. Barea now brings those leadership traits to the Nuggets after a peculiar shakeup of their coaching staff last season. Head coach Michael Malone was surprisingly fired just three-games before the end of the regular season. After getting bounced in the second-round of the playoffs, Adelman, who served as the interim coach during the run, has been hired as the replacement. The Nuggets have been active elsewhere in free agency this week, as well. Denver traded forward Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson and also re-acquired Bruce Brown, who was a member of the Nuggets' title team in 2023. Advertisement Related: P.J. Washington Ready to Team Up with Cooper Flagg in Dallas Related: Free Agent D'Angelo Russell Reunites with Former Teammates in Mavericks Key Signing This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Indiana Pacers Could Take a Page from 2011 Dallas Mavericks' Playbook in NBA Finals
Indiana Pacers Could Take a Page from 2011 Dallas Mavericks' Playbook in NBA Finals originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In 2011, Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, head coach Rick Carlisle, and the Dallas Mavericks met the "Big Three" Miami Heat tandem in the NBA Finals. Nine months prior, LeBron James promised that he would win "not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven" titles in Miami, and the Heat were heavy favorites. Advertisement Instead, the Mavericks sent them packing in six games, running home to South Beach with their tails tucked between their legs. That 2011 ring was the crowning achievement for both Dirk and Carlisle, who is back in the Finals this year with the Indiana Pacers, who trail the Oklahoma City Thunder two games to three. In a do-or-die Game 6 on Thursday night, All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton is hobbled, prompting Carlisle to possibly do what he did in 2011: give the undersized, overlooked bench player the starting nod. In 2011, JJ Barea started only two regular-season games before getting the nod in Games 4, 5, and 6. This season, TJ McConnell has only started a single game, although his ability to push the pace will be very valuable with Haliburton hobbled. Advertisement The 2011 Mavericks went 3-0 in the Finals game Barea started, clinching the only ring in franchise history. As the Pacers search for their first title, Carlisle could make the same call he made 14 years ago, giving the undersized, scrappy point guard a bigger role than expected. It worked in 2011, when the Mavericks were the underdogs, and the situation is very similar for the Pacers. Related: Mavericks Issue Major Announcement on Kyrie Irving Related: Paige Bueckers Comments on Cooper Flagg's Potential Move to Dallas This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
