Dallas Mavericks: 2016-17 Season Outlook
Predictions
Harrison Barnes is not going to emerge as some Most Improved Player of the Year candidate in 2016-17, but marginal improvements should be expected. He’ll put up career highs in points and possibly rebounds per game, and his defense will be solid too, but he won’t be a 20 points per game scorer either.
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More than likely, Harry B will experience his ups and downs in an increased role. He won’t have the breakout season Mavs fans are hoping for, nor will he be the miserable failure his harshest critics are expecting. The overwhelming takeaway that he’s not Nowitzki’s eventual successor, however, will be fairly obvious to both parties.
Dirk’s numbers will continue their steady decline, but the drop-off won’t be so sudden to place even more pressure on Barnes to perform. With another solid season from Anderson, the Mavericks will be able to unleash some stifling defensive lineups whenever they choose to go small with that wing combination of Matthews, Anderson and Barnes.
Curry will able to spread the floor from three-point range if he earns run Rick Carlisle’s favor, and guys like Acy, Mejri, Devin Harris, J.J. Barea and Dwight Powell will do their part off the bench for an improved second unit.
Next: NBA Predictions: 2016-17 Win Total Projections For All 30 Teams
There’s still no definitive answer to the question, “What happens after Dirk Nowitzki?” but at the very least, the Mavericks will be able to supply their seven-foot German with another playoff appearance in 2016-17 as they win 45 games…and bow out once again in the first round.