NBA: 5 candidates to be first-time All-Stars in 2019-20
By Alex Hoban
4. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Even though Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is younger than Donovan Mitchell and on a lesser team, he still has a better chance of being an All-Star this upcoming season.
Doncic finished last year with an impressive stat line of 21.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 6.0 assists per game.
Those numbers along with his play was so impressive that he was getting serious All-Star consideration in the loaded Western Conference, in what was only his rookie season.
Luka proved what a rare talent he is last year, and he did it all without much help from his Maverick teammates. However, this upcoming season he can expect to have a bit more help alongside him.
The Mavs made a deal in late January to acquire 2018 All-Star Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and two future first-round draft picks.
Dallas also got Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke in the deal, although Burke is now a part of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Although Porzingis has his injury concerns, if he is able to stay healthy and out on the floor then he should be able to get back to his former self and show us all again what a rare and outstanding talent he truly is.
Before getting injured, the 7’3 “unicorn” averaged 22.7 points per game and 2.4 blocks per game. This was all with the lowly Knicks, who had no one even close to Doncic as far as talent goes.
We have yet to see these two play together, so we cannot say for certain that they will click out on the court.
However, what is for certain is that both of these two have never played with anyone as good as one another. Doncic already made the future for Dallas bright, but Porzingis and him together make it even more brighter.
If these two dynamic players can make it work together, then both of them should see their games improve. Luka already had very impressive numbers, but with an All-Star running by his side, he could easily raise his game to become an All-Star too.