5 Awards that Dallas Mavericks players could win this season

The Dallas Mavericks are off to a hot start to begin the season. They rank third in the Western Conference with a 15-8 record. At no point last season was Dallas seven games above .500.

This season's turnaround is certainly impressive. Dallas' offense and defense have improved after a lackluster year a season ago. The Mavericks are averaging six more points per game this season. And while playing at an even faster pace, Dallas is only allowing two more points per game than last year.

The defensive rating is nearly equal to the 2022-23 season. Although it may appear as if the defense has stagnated, it has improved. A season ago, Dallas ranked 28th in pace. This season, the Mavs rank 9th in the NBA.

5 Awards that Dallas Mavericks players could win this season

Typically the faster teams play, the more points they allow. And while the Dallas defense is nowhere near perfect, it's an average unit, which is okay due to the offense's proficiency.

Nevertheless, the Mavericks' improvement can be accredited to several new players and a few holdovers. Here, we'll discuss five Mavericks who are in the running to take home awards this season.

5. Clutch Player of the Year - Luka Doncic

In 2022-23, the NBA introduced the Clutch Player of the Year. In the inaugural season of the award, De'Aaron Fox took home the honors.

This season, Luka Doncic is one of the frontrunners for the award. First and foremost, he ranks third in the association in clutch plus/minus, at plus-37.

Additionally, in clutch moments, Doncic has led the Mavericks to a 9-2 record. In 38 minutes of clutch time, the All-Star has put up 35 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals.

Doncic has also played with extreme efficiency in the clutch. He's only recorded two turnovers and committed just two fouls. And when the game's on the line, he shoots it 50 percent from the floor, 45.5 percent from three, and 100 percent from the line.

Despite Doncic's typical heroics come clutch time, the Mavericks ended up with a losing record in the clutch a season ago. Doncic himself shot only 44 percent from the field and 19 percent from three in the clutch last year.

This season, Doncic is much improved when the game matters most. His efficiency and counting stats are up in the clutch. He's also still hitting the big-time shots we've grown accustomed to seeing.

4. Coach of the Year - Jason Kidd

It's been a tumultuous three seasons in Dallas for head coach Jason Kidd. After a successful first year, reaching the Western Conference Finals, the Mavs missed the playoffs altogether a season ago.

This season, Kidd is on a comeback trail. Despite there being no "Comeback Coach of the Year Award," Kidd has brought Dallas back to relevancy.

Last season, Dallas finished 11th in the West, with a 38-44 record. Through the first quarter of the season, the Mavs rank third in the conference, with a 15-8 record.

As discussed on the previous slide, the Mavericks are far better in the clutch. Dallas is second in the league in win percentage, plus/minus, turnovers, and total wins in the clutch.

Kidd has configured lineups to maximize each player's ability this season. His reliance on youth has also been a boon for Dallas. After drafting two players in the first round, it seemed as if a youth movement was on the horizon.

And Kidd has played into the movement. Despite subtle production in college, the Dallas coach wasn't hesitant to plug Dereck Lively II into the starting five. Although he came off the bench on opening day, Lively II has started ever since.

Under Kidd's tutelage, Lively II has excelled starting at the five (more on him later). Acknowledging the porous defense from a season ago, Kidd plugged in two new, defense-first starters to the lineup. Grant Williams, who came over from Boston, and Derrick Jones Jr. were plugged into the starting five to give the defense some juice.

Although starting Jones Jr. initially ruffled some feathers, his addition to the opening lineup has been a fantastic decision. Starting Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving doesn't necessarily equate to a great defense. Kidd has done a great job of maximizing lineups and figuring out how to be most effective on the defensive end.

3. Sixth Man of the Year - Tim Hardaway Jr.

The NBA leader in bench points per game? That would be Tim Hardaway Jr. In 20 games played, no starts, Hardaway Jr. averages 17.7 points per game.

Hardaway Jr. also adds 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and ranks second in the NBA in charges drawn with 13. But of course, Hardaway Jr.'s shooting is what really stands out.

The Dallas sharpshooter had made the eighth most 3-pointers in the association. And he's done so at a 39 percent clip, the third-best mark of his career.

His 3-point shooting is his specialty, but Hardaway Jr. is getting the free-throw line with higher frequency than in recent seasons. The former Wolverine is knocking down 2.3 of his 2.6 freebies per game. He's shooting 88.2 percent from the line, the second-highest mark of his 12-year career.

On average, Hardaway Jr. is shooting a higher true shooting, effective field goal, and 3-point percentage than the rest of the league. Although he's been known as a gunner, the Sixth Man of the Year candidate is an efficient one at that.

Hardaway Jr.'s achievements thus far aren't only making him a case for the Sixth Man award. He's been equally as crucial to the Mavericks' offense. The Dallas offensive rating is six points better when Hardaway Jr. is on the floor.

Additionally, Dallas turns the ball over less when Hardaway Jr. plays and shoots a higher percentage from the floor. Although Hardaway Jr.'s role with the team was murky throughout the entire offseason, he's proved to be an invaluable part of the team.

2. Rookie of the Year - Dereck Lively II

No one saw this one coming before the season began. Dallas rookie, Dereck Lively II, has been far better than expected for the Mavericks. After playing just one season at Duke, the common consensus was that Lively II would take some time to adjust to the NBA.

However, the former Blue Devil hit the ground running. In Lively II's first professional game, he recorded a double-double. After a little over a month, Lively II holds averages of 9.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game.

The Dallas big man continues to improve. His points, rebounds, blocks, field goal percentage, and usage rate have all increased from November to December.

Despite entering the league relatively raw, Lively II has played to his strengths to become the best version of himself. He's brought an entirely new dimension to the Dallas roster.

After cycling through centers in recent years, the Mavs have seemingly found their franchise big man. At 19 years old, Lively II already leads the NBA in field goal percentage. And in 25.9 minutes per game, Lively II ranks in the top 30 in rebounds and blocks.

While Lively II might be a long shot to bring home the Rookie of the Year award. It's to no fault of his own. The 2023 NBA Draft Class has been great and Lively II is one of many rookies producing at a high level.

1. Most Valuable Player - Luka Doncic

Finally, the most anticipated award in all of sports, the most valuable player. The MVP typically goes to the best player on one of the best teams.

Although there have been exceptions in the past, most notably Russell Westbrook in 2017, the Luka Doncic-led Mavericks already look like a shoo-in for the playoffs.

The 24-year-old Doncic has already accomplished a lot in this league, but he's yet to reach the NBA Finals nor bring home an MVP Award. This season might be Doncic's best bet.

The superstar guard is averaging 32.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists per game. Additionally, Doncic is playing with absurd efficiency.

Despite the typically high usage rate, Doncic is shooting better than ever before from beyond the arc and from the free-throw line. And while Doncic got off to a rough start turning the ball over, he's done better as of late taking care of the ball.

Doncic is the Mavericks' identity, and without him on any given night, Dallas would be in for a tough time. In his only absence this season, the Mavericks scored only 94 points against the shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies.

Not many players mean more to their team than Doncic. No other player in the league leads their team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and 3-pointers. The star guard truly does it all for the Mavericks and his contributions are nearly impossible to replicate.