Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic a fixture in annual GM Survey

Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic got plenty of love in the annual NBA.com GM Survey including being the favorite to win Rookie of the Year.

The Dallas Mavericks traded up to draft Luka Doncic and have not looked back.  They gave up two first-round selections to make it happen, but early returns suggest the Mavs will not have any regrets.

Every Maverick player is raving about Doncic’s passing ability.  His unselfish nature makes his teammates want to play with him.  Then, fans saw his skills in the Mavericks preseason opener and came away impressed.

General Managers from across the NBA are taking notice as well.  The NBA.com 2018-2019 GM Survey dropped on Oct. 3 and Doncic was a fixture in plenty of categories.

Favorite to win Rookie of the Year

Luka Doncic is the most accomplished rookie in this draft class, and GM’s expect another trophy will be coming his way soon.  The EuroLeague and Liga ACB MVP is the favorite to win the 2019 Rookie of the Year.  Doncic earned 43 percent of the vote with Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr. tying for second place at 17 percent.

This is a smart move by the GM’s.  Doncic figures to start and play over 30 minutes per game the entire season.  His combination of statistical production and highlight-reel plays should see him earn the award.

Not the best player in five years

Luka only received 17 percent of the vote on what rookie is the best player in five years.  That finished third behind Deandre Ayton (27 percent) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (27 percent).

This category is always difficult to judge, but Doncic has played well and won at every stop so far.  His passing and playmaking ability could be the difference maker in him being the best player in this draft class over their careers.

Not the biggest steal in the draft

Being selected third overall would make it difficult to be the biggest steal in the draft, but Doncic got some votes.  He received seven percent which finished tied for sixth in the category.

Already one of the best international players

This category may be the most interesting of any on the GM Survey.  They were asked about the best international player in the NBA, and not surprisingly Giannis Antetokounmpo was the runaway winner with 73 percent of the vote.  Finishing second was Kristaps Porzingis at ten percent.  Now things get exciting for Mavs fans.

Luka Doncic tied for third with seven percent of the vote.  He was even with Nikola Jokic.  Doncic was ahead of Marc Gasol and the rest of the international players in the NBA.  That is before ever taking the court in a regular season game.  Doncic is ahead of a three-time All-Star in Gasol and tied with a fan-favorite and exceptionally talented big man in Jokic.  That is massive respect for the rookie.

Final thoughts

Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic earned plenty of love on the annual NBA.com GM Survey.  Doncic has Mavs fans pumped up about the upcoming season.  He figures to play a starring role on an improved team.  The Mavericks are hoping to push toward the playoffs.

It should be the beginning of what could be an exciting next five years in Dallas basketball, so stay tuned.

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