Sources: Denver Nuggets Hire J.J. Barea, Continue Pursuit of Dallas Mavericks Assistant Coach Jared Dudley

The Denver Nuggets have hired former Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea as an assistant coach and have formally requested permission to interview Mavericks assistant Jared Dudley, league sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com.

Barea, 41, joins head coach David Adelman’s staff following a decorated 14-year NBA career that included two stints with the Mavericks and a key role on Dallas’ 2011 championship team. The hiring gives Denver an experienced former player with international coaching ties and a proven developmental track record.

The Nuggets’ staff shuffle comes after their 2025 playoff exit and signals a broader effort to add championship experience and locker-room leadership to the bench. Sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com that Denver recently gained permission to speak with Dudley about a potential promotion.

Dudley, 39, remains under contract with the Mavericks through the 2025–26 season but is eligible to pursue higher-ranking roles elsewhere. The Nuggets recently joined the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies as teams expressing interest in the respected assistant, who has developed a strong reputation since joining Jason Kidd’s staff in 2021.

J.J. Barea Brings Championship Pedigree

Barea last appeared in the NBA during the 2019–20 season and briefly returned to the Mavericks in a player development role in 2021 before continuing his coaching career in Puerto Rico. He played in 831 regular-season games and averaged 8.9 points and 3.9 assists.

Undrafted out of Northeastern in 2006, Barea earned a roster spot after impressing in Summer League and spent a decade in Dallas over two stints. His most memorable contributions came during the 2011 NBA Finals, where he helped swing the series in favor of the Mavericks against the Miami Heat.

Dudley played 14 NBA seasons before retiring and immediately joining Kidd’s inaugural staff in Dallas. Known for his communication skills and close relationships with star players such as Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis, Dudley has become a valued presence on the Mavericks’ bench. He is currently the team’s No. 3 assistant but can depart for a larger role elsewhere.

Jared Dudley Could Depart the Dallas Mavericks

Denver’s interest in Dudley follows a wave of coaching changes in Dallas. Associate head coach Sean Sweeney left to join the San Antonio Spurs, and Alex Jensen departed to coach the University of Utah. Jay Triano was hired to fill Jensen’s role, but Sweeney’s position remains vacant.

Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that the Mavericks have not offered Dudley a promotion or contract extension this offseason, a decision that could increase the likelihood of him being hired away. The Nuggets remain interested in hiring Dudley after bringing on Barea.

Both Barea and Dudley bring championship credentials and strong player development reputations. If the Nuggets succeed in hiring Dudley, they would add two former NBA players with deep ties to winning environments as they retool around Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, face continued pressure to navigate staff continuity amid mounting interest from rival organizations.

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