Before the season, if one were to power rank the Dallas Mavericks players, where would J.J. Barea have ended up on the list? Looking back on the 2018-19 season, it’s clear that Barea of all players was perhaps the most important Maverick not named Luka Doncic.
In 38 games with Barea on the active roster, the Mavericks were 20-18. Without Barea, Dallas won just 13 games all season. That simple line, while not all encompassing, broadcasts the value Barea brought from the Maverick bench this season. A season-ending Achilles tear against the Minnesota Timberwolves brought Barea’s season to an abrupt end in early January.