J.J. Barea Eyeing NBA Coaching Job, Views Mavs As 'First Option'

Former Mavs guard J.J. Barea wants to get into coaching at the NBA level with his top preference being to join his former team's staff.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks' coaching staff under Jason Kidd has become a topic of conversation after the departure of lead assistant Greg St. Jean. The team has experienced turnover in the role for the third consecutive year. 

Based on the latest reporting from Marc Stein, Dallas seeks to find an experienced assistant to fill the vacancy. Among the linked names include James Borrego and Jeff Hornacek, with Terry Stotts being considered a potential later developing option. Could the Mavs seek another addition to the staff?

Like many former players, ex-Mavs guard J.J. Barea is interested in coaching at the NBA level. He has an agent to help assist in finding coaching jobs and has begun conversations with teams about potential opportunities. He says the Mavs are aware of his desire to coach.

“I’ve got an agent now — a coaching agent – and I’ve had conversations with the Mavs,” Barea told Mavs.com. “The Mavs know I’m interested in coaching, and now the entire NBA knows, so I just started the conversations.

“I’m just learning things and studying the coaching ways, and when the opportunity comes I’ll be ready to go.”

Barea made clear that his top desire would be to join the Mavs coaching staff. However, if that doesn't pan out, he'd have to look elsewhere for opportunities to take the leap to coaching at the highest level.

“Everybody that knows me know that my first option will always be with the Mavs,” Barea said. “I would love to be with the Mavs.

“But if that don’t work out, then I’ve got to look for another option and see what I can do. But my first option is to be with the Mavs."

Barea, a member of the Mavs' 2011 NBA championship team, played 11 seasons in Dallas. During the 2021-22 season, he filled what was initially described as being an unofficial assistant coaching role, but was later described as being more of a pro-scout role. He feels he's ready to take the next step. 

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