2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 20 power rankings

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10. Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks

Last week: 6th (↓ 4)

Rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is still finding his rhythm as the floor general for the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are currently 18-42 in the Western Conference after going 33-49 in 2016-17. Off-the-court issues continue to dampen what once was a franchise on the rise and it’s beginning to trickle onto the court.

Smith and the Mavericks went 0-2 to kick off their post-All-Star Break schedule. Smith averaged 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this week, but he continues to struggle shooting the basketball.

He went 5-of-16 (31.3 percent) from the floor in their 124-102 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. On Saturday night, he was 2-for-11 (18.2 percent) in their 97-90 loss to the Utah Jazz. Not to mention, he turned in plus/minus scores of -26 and -21, respectively.

Changes are bound to occur soon for the Mavericks. They’re getting just 12.3 points per game from mainstay Dirk Nowitzki this season, his lowest average since his rookie season back in 1998-99.