Dallas Mavericks: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

DALLAX, TX - JUNE 23: Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban, Dennis Smith Jr., Rick Carlisle and Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks introduce their 2017 draft pick Dennis Smith Jr. during at a press conference on June 23, 2017 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glen James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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3. Harrison Barnes will be an All-Star selection

When the Dallas Mavericks and Harrison Barnes came to terms on a four-year, $94 million contract, Barnes took a lot of criticism for receiving such a lucrative deal.

Barnes had signed with the Mavericks after playing four seasons with the Golden State Warriors, winning an NBA championship in the 2014-15 season.

He came off a season averaging 13.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game with the Warriors to become the highest-paid player on the Dallas roster at 24 years old.

Although the Mavericks finished under .500, Barnes’ signing proving to be worth it. He led the team in scoring with 19.2 points per game while also grabbing 5.0 rebounds and dishing out 1.5 assists per game.

Barnes’ set a new career high in points per game despite missing the playoffs for the first time in his career, but you could call it a wakeup call for him.

Help is on the way for Barnes in the form a quicker and more explosive point guard in Dennis Smith Jr., who will certainly bring a different dynamic to an offense in need.

Re-focused and re-tooled, Barnes should be ready to lead the Mavericks back to the top of the Western Conference. They’ve got the pieces to be good defensively if center Nerlens Noel can stay healthy.

The long offseason should have given Barnes a lot of time to work on his outside shot, which should give them a solid offensive advantage in 2017-18. Barnes leading the way should result in an All-Star selection before it’s all said and done.

Smith Jr. will draw enough attention that it gives Barnes plenty of looks to work with. They should find a way to capitalize on his size as a scorer next season, that’s for sure.

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