In A Classy Move, Mark Cuban Paid JJ Barea $2.6 Million Before Releasing Him

Mark Cuban is just the best.

Last month, Cuban signed JJ Barea to a one-year $2.6 Million dollar contract.

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Guard JJ Barea is signing a guaranteed one-year, $2.6M deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 27, 2020

Many fans were questioning this move, considering Barea barely played last season. Apparently, it was all part of Cuban’s plan. After Barea was released today, it was reported that Cuban figured he would have to release the veteran, but wanted to send him out with a parting gift.

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Filed to ESPN — Sources: Mavs plan to release J.J. Barea on Thursday. Mark Cuban knew this move was likely when Barea signed a 1-year, $2.6M deal last week but wanted to reward him for his impact over 11 years with Mavs. Barea, 36, still hopes to play in NBA this season.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 9, 2020

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Barea was always a fan favorite in Dallas, and played an integral role on the team’s 2011 championship run. In the 2011 NBA finals against the Miami Heat, Barea averaged 13.3 points. However, points were merely a stat, Barea was a spark plug for Dallas, and they simply do not win that series without his efforts on both sides of the ball.

Barea has not been the same player since he ruptured his achilles in 2019, and he saw his role diminish greatly on the Mavs last season.

Barea has said that he would like to play one more year before switching to a coaching gig, we’ll see if anyone wants to give the veteran guard a shot.

I don’t know of many owners in all of sports that would give $2.6 Million to a guy prior to releasing him. Thats just the kind of guy Mark Cuban is. His players are lucky to play for such a loyal owner.

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