Dallas Mavericks: Despite new additions, Harrison Barnes still the guy

Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes is still going to get plenty of shot attempts this season according to Coach Rick Carlisle.

The Dallas Mavericks have added plenty of talent to their roster over the last two years.  From drafting Luka Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr. to adding DeAndre Jordan in free agency the team will look different this season.  Who becomes the new alpha on offense?

Smith Jr. scored 15.2 points a game as a rookie shooting 39.5 percent from the field and playing under 30 minutes a game.  He was the second leading scorer on the Mavs last season.  He could take a step forward and lead the team.

Doncic averaged 14.2 points per game for Real Madrid in 25.1 minutes a night last season.  He shot 45.0 percent from the field but is making a transition to a new country and faster brand of basketball.

Jordan has averaged 12.5 points over the last three seasons with the Clippers.  He figures to help the Mavs get a few extra possessions and increase their team scoring, though.

The forgotten man

Harrison Barnes is the forgotten man in this equation.  He has led the Mavericks in scoring two straight seasons by averaging 19 points per game.  Barnes was 34th in the NBA in scoring last season.  Being able to average 19 points every game is not that common and fans take him for granted at times.

Will it change this season?  Does a young stud take the Mavs scoring title away from Barnes?

Coach Carlisle does not seem to think that will be the case.  Listen to the coach break it down here courtesy of Dwain Price.

Barnes is an overall effective scorer.  He rates well in every play type except roll man on the pick-and-roll according to Synergy.  That makes Barnes difficult to stop because he has a plethora of tricks in his bag.

Final thoughts

Coach Carlisle believes Harrison Barnes is still the Dallas Mavericks “go-to guy” and he likely leads the team in scoring for a third straight season.

Barnes has a player option for next year and it will be interesting to see if he plays it out or looks for some long-term security.  It may not matter because the Mavs likely pay him and keep him as a foundational piece with Doncic and Smith Jr.  Keep an eye on that story as the season progresses though.

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