Dallas Mavericks: This isn’t Luka Doncic’s team yet

The Dallas Mavericks drafted one of the most impressive rookies to ever come to the NBA this year in Luka Doncic. Although he appears to be the future face of the team, that won’t happen this season. It may not happen for a while.

Luka Doncic is likely going to be one of the best draft selections the Dallas Mavericks have ever made. After a more than promising career overseas, Doncic found his way to the NBA and the Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft. Doncic was selected with the third overall pick and traded to Dallas.

As soon as the trade officially went through on draft day, Dallas Mavericks fans were ecstatic. It was no secret across the league that Doncic was considered maybe the best prospect in the draft and the Mavs had managed to nab him, despite failure on the night of the draft lottery. It was time for a new era of Mavs basketball.

However, when Luka finally got the proper flat-bill on for draft night, many fans suddenly thought he was the official new face of the franchise. That may be the case down the road, but people seem to forget that Dallas already has some pretty solid talent in Harrison Barnes, DeAndre Jordan and last year’s first round selection, Dennis Smith Jr.

There is a good chance that one day, this will be Luka Doncic’s team. That time is not this season and you are underestimating how effective DSJ and Barnes can be this year if you do think that. I suspect that Dennis Smith in particular will have a phenomenal season.

Harrison Barnes was the Mavs leading scorer last year at 18.9 points per game. The year before he was at 19.2 ppg. Although it is not the big time play Mavs fans have grown accustomed to from the top player in the past, there is no denying that Barnes has played well since putting on the Dallas Mavericks uniform.

Dennis Smith Jr. had a great rookie campaign in which he averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. These numbers are set to increase as he becomes even more of a focal point for the offense.

Luka Doncic is going to have an excellent rookie season, in my opinion. He may even be Rookie of the Year. That does not mean that he is going to be the king of the court in Dallas though. Not yet.

(All stats per basketball-reference.com)