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Dallas Mavericks: Worst Case Scenario for 2016-17 Season

By Isaac Harris
Apr 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) leaves the court after the loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) leaves the court after the loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the basketball against Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (7) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Mavericks 128-120. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the basketball against Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (7) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Mavericks 128-120. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4.) Harrison Barnes Doesn’t Improve

After Durant chose Golden State, this obviously opened the door for Dallas to sign Harrison Barnes to a max contract. After much criticism from all over the league, Barnes looks to come out of the shadows in Golden State to a go-to player in Dallas.

I have been pretty vocal about my excitement around Barnes in Dallas, but it comes with realistic expectations. When I was asked to describe Barnes’ season in one word with a panel of other media sites, I used the word “GROWING.”

Barnes will spend the first half, and maybe the whole season, growing as a player into the new role he is not used to being in. With that being said, Barnes still needs to actually grow this season and improve.

He can’t come to Dallas and stay the same player he was in Golden State. The young, maxed out forward, can’t simply be a solid wing defender who hits the corner three. In the Mavs worst case scenario, Barnes can’t make the leap and stays a 4th or 5th option.

Next: Dirk Nowitzki Ages Quick

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