Dallas Mavericks: 5 reasons to be optimistic

5. Another full season of Luka

Yes, we get another season of Luka Doncic‘s flashy and electrifying playmaking abilities, but there is something much larger at play for him this season.

Last year served two purposes for the Doncic-Dallas Mavericks relationship. First, to prove that Luka could produce in the NBA. Once that was proven, the second purpose was to groom Doncic into the foundation of the franchise.

After winning Rookie of the Year, Luka Doncic will have to step up even more for Dallas in 2019-20.

With Dirk Nowitzki gone and Kristaps Porzingis still getting his bearings, Luka needs to assume a leadership role. Whether or not he is ready for that role is irrelevant because it simply needs to happen.

Luka’s age and immaturity have shown in small flashes, but with a full year of American basketball under his belt, he must be the one to carry the torch passed down from Dirk.

The Slovenian wonder is already the face of the franchise, and even if he cannot live up to his rookie season stat-wise, he will have to become a leader for this squad.

With Luka leading the way and building up his reliability, Dallas should be much more confident in fixing up other areas of the team.