Dallas Mavericks: 5 goals for Luka Doncic’s rookie season

4. Shoot 34 percent from 3-point range

Another weakness in Doncic’s game is his average efficiency from long range. Playing in a league (EuroLeague) with a reputation of developing some of the greatest distance shooters in the world, one would think their greatest player would have the ability to shoot efficiently from 3-point range, right?

In Doncic’s case, his shooting returns were average at best, shooting 33 percent from 3 in EuroLeague last year over the course of 74 games. That’s not to say his shot won’t be able to translate into the modern pace-and-space style of the NBA, but in order to become a star in the association, he will need to improve his long range shooting.

Only two All-Stars from last year had a 3-point percentage less than league average (approximately 35 percent): DeMar DeRozan (31.2 percent) and LaMarcus Aldridge (29.3 percent). Those two players’ games are predicated on using athleticism, size, and their masterful inside the arc game to make them the players they are today.

Doncic doing the same is not out of the question, but his potential could even exceed both of these players with the other tangible skills he possesses. He could become an elite passer without a shooting stroke, such as Ricky Rubio or Rajon Rondo, but while both are great players in their own right, the modern NBA has limited their strengths and exploited their spacing capabilities.

A realistic goal for Doncic would be to shoot at least 34 percent from long range in his rookie season and look to improve his shooting ability more in the following offseasons as his career progresses and becomes more acclimated to the NBA playing style.