Dallas Mavericks: 5 goals for Dennis Smith Jr.’s rookie season

3. Participate in the Slam Dunk Contest

This is not a goal that will help the Dallas Mavericks improve as a team, or Dennis Smith Jr. as an on-court player. But it is a goal that will develop Smith’s brand as a budding star, something that will bring popularity and fans to both Smith and the organization.

Many of the league’s best players have avoided the Slam Dunk Contest, opting instead to sit on the sidelines and watch relatively unknown players throw down. While the quality of the contest has seemed to suffer, the impact of the contest struggles as well without the star power of years gone by.

Enter Dennis Smith, a player with his sights on stardom. With his athleticism and explosion he is an easy candidate for the contest, and a much more recognizable player even this early in his career. The popularity in his Summer League accomplishments shows the platform he could dominate by entering the Slam Dunk Contest.

Players such as Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine have struggled to sustain a high impact when the games matter, but their incredible showmanship in this contest have raised their fame to new levels. Smith could be the next heir to their thrones, whether he takes it by force or dominates a new field of competitors.