Dallas Mavericks: 2017-18 NBA season preview

How will Year 2 go with Harrison Barnes?

The Dallas Mavericks didn’t fare too poorly with forward Harrison Barnes as their No. 1 option. They didn’t make the playoffs, but growing pains are part of life in the NBA. Although it was the first time not making the playoffs in his career, there were some good takeaways.

Barnes averaged a career-high 19.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in 2016-17. As he enters his sixth season, he’s got some better options to work with at the guard positions. Barnes still shot 46.8 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from the 3-point arc last season.

He answered tons of questions after signing the infamous max deal that has either made or broken potential stars in the making.

The next one is how will he co-exist with Dennis Smith Jr. on the floor? Smith has born leader written all over him, which should bode well for Barnes.

The critics were out on Barnes last season, considering he was the fourth option on the Golden State Warriors, but he’s coming into his own as a No. 1 option on the Mavericks.

Big man Dirk Nowitzki is coming to the last leg of his career at 39 years old, too. Handing over the keys to Barnes is paramount upon his ability to build on his first year in Dallas.

With Smith Jr. at point guard, the possibilities open up for Barnes to find more ways to get open and create shots. The rookie is sure to garner a lot of attention with his explosiveness to the basket, opening up more opportunities for Barnes in the process.