Stalwart Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea expects to be fully cleared for training camp after rupturing his right Achilles tendon in January, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
Barea officially signed a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum Monday but reportedly agreed to the new deal in July, some six months after suffering the season-ending injury in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 11. The injury has prevented Barea from competing for his native Puerto Rico in the FIBA World Cup.
The 35-year-old is entering his 14th NBA season and his 11th with the Mavericks. In 38 games last season, he averaged 10.9 points and 5.6 assists - the third-best marks of his career.