Dallas Mavericks: 3 predictions for Josh Richardson in the 2020-2021 season

Prediction for Dallas Mavericks wing Josh Richardson: 3. Shoots over 40 percent from three

How does a player go from shooting 34.1 percent from 3-point range to over 40 in one year? Playing next to Luka Doncic is a fantastic start. Seth Curry, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, and Courtney Lee all set career-highs in 3-point percentage last season. The Mavs historic offense coupled with Doncic’s ability to find the open man makes the numbers skyrocket.

Richardson is a better shooter than he showed last season. The Sixers’ lack of floor spacing hampered the 27-year-old wing. He is a career 36.3 percent 3-point shooter. Heading into last season, Tim Hardaway Jr. made 33.8 percent of his career threes before shooting 39.8 percent with the Mavs. As a starter, that number rose to 41.6 percent. Playing next to Luka can do wonders.

Richardson has shown how impactful he can be in the Mavericks system this preseason. He was 11 of 15 from 3-point range in the three games. Nobody will shoot 73.3 percent from downtown for an extended stretch, but the important change is the type of shots. JRich took five corners threes. He attempted 34 all of last season, despite being a 40.8 percent shooter from the corners for his career.

The Mavericks will play to Josh Richardson’s strengths. With Luka Doncic feeding him the ball, expect JRich to be an outstanding shooter. He will go over 40 percent as the Mavs lead the league in offensive rating for the second straight year.

Next: No. 2