In what can only be seen as a continuation of a trend, another Dallas Mavericks legend is no longer associated with the organization. It was announced today that 2011 NBA Champion JJ Barea, who didn’t have an official role with the team but was very clearly around in the pre-Luka trade days, is joining the Denver Nuggets coaching staff.
JJ Barea, a 2011 NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks, has agreed to join the Denver Nuggets as an assistant coach under David Adelman, sources tell ESPN. Barea will be on the front of the Nuggets coaching bench.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
While Denver is a new organization for Barea, these are not unfamiliar people for him. For part of Barea’s three-year tenure playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rick Adelman was the coach of the Wolves, with his son David Adelman on his staff as an assistant. Because of that, this should be a comfortable partnership for both Barea and Adelman.
It should also be noted that according to the Morning News’ Brad Townsend, the Mavericks did not reach out to Barea about their coaching vacancies, even knowing that he was interested in coaching in the NBA.
Confirming JJ Barea to Denver. I’m also told the Mavs/Kidd did not reach out about him potentially joining Kidd’s staff, which (to me) is surprising .
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) July 1, 2025
For JJ, this is a wonderful opportunity to join a championship contending team in a front of the bench coaching role. Barea has been a head coach in Puerto Rico the last couple of seasons, so he does have some experience coaching already. Beyond that, his last years in Dallas were mainly spent as a liaison between the coaching staff and the team, which was probably a good introduction to coaching for him.
Los Angeles Clippers v Dallas Mavericks - Game Four Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Barea joins a long list of Dallas-adjacent people who have become increasingly more distant from the franchise over the last five months. Luka Doncic, who is obviously a main character here as he is still beloved by the city, shattered his iPhone upon hearing about the trade. Both men who have statues outside of the American Airlines Center are pissed off with the organization (yes, even Mike Modano is mad!) PGA Tour superstars Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth are still recovering from the Luka trade.
Beyond that, Sean Sweeney, who has been Jason Kidd’s top assistant for his four-year tenure in Dallas, left for the San Antonio Spurs. Assistant coach Jared Dudley sure seems to be on the move. Kidd’s number two, Alex Jensen, left for his alma mater, the Utah Utes. Beloved player development coach God Shammgod is likely on the way out, as well.
Don’t get me wrong, Cooper Flagg is one heck of a deodorant. But it’s going to take a whole lot of wizardry for this tire fire to be extinguished.