NBA: Ranking every team’s best player in 2018-19

24. Dallas Mavericks: Harrison Barnes, SF/PF

For two decades, the answer to this question for the Dallas Mavericks was always Dirk Nowitzki, and deservedly so. At the end of this season Nowitzki will probably retire as one of the very best to ever play the game, and certainly the best player to ever wear a Mavs uniform. But as he glides towards retirement, the mantle has passed to another player — if only as a placeholder.

Harrison Barnes left the Golden State Warriors as the fifth-best player on a title contender and joined the Mavericks to be the top offensive option. That has worked out well for him, as he put up two remarkably similar seasons in Dallas, scoring 19.2 and 18.9 points per game, respectively. Defensively, his versatility means he can guard wings and bigs, as he often did in key moments for the Warriors.

DeAndre Jordan joins the club with much higher credentials as a three-time All-NBA selection, but he is also on the downside of his career, and fits as a high-end role player more than an offensive engine. Third overall pick Luka Doncic could step in and become this team’s leader from the jump, but he will likely need time to grow into the role. Along with second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr. there are a number of players who could vie for this spot, but for now Barnes has distinguished himself the most.