Mark Cuban and the Mavs gave a 36-year-old fan-favorite a new $2.6 million contract and promptly cut him as a parting thank-you gift

• The Dallas Mavericks signed backup point guard J.J. Barea to a one-year, $2.6 million contract, then waived him.
• According to ESPN, Mavs owner Mark Cuban wanted to give Barea one last payday as a thank you for 11 seasons with the team.
• Barea still wants to play, but then plans to coach, at which point the Mavs are reportedly interested in bringing him back.

After 11 seasons, the Dallas Mavericks decided to give a generous thank-you to J.J. Barea.

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, the Mavericks are waiving Barea, a long-time backup point guard, just days after signing him a one-year, $2.6 million deal.

According to MacMahon, the Mavs always knew this was the plan - they wanted to give Barea one last contract as a tribute to his steady leadership on and off the court. MacMahon reported that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wanted to reward Barea, who was a key part of the Mavs' 2011 championship run.

By signing him and then waiving him, Barea gets paid either way - a team will either claim him off waivers (unlikely, given his age) or he'll pass through waivers and the Mavs will pay the remainder of his salary.

According to MacMahon, Barea wants to play in the NBA but will eventually turn to coaching, at which point the Mavs would like to bring him on board.

Cuban's move earned praise from NBA players.

Barea ranks fifth all-time in minutes played in Mavs' franchise history.

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