Dallas Mavericks: Breakout candidates for 2019-20

No. 2: Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson‘s play at the end of the season last year may just be enough to justify granting him a starting position at point guard this year.

J.J. Barea has been the mainstay starter in Dallas in recent memory, but his age may change that going into 2019-20.

Like the center position, the Mavs started experimenting with some fluidity at point guard as the 2018-19 season progressed.

After Barea, it was Brunson who emerged as the most favorable for quality minutes.

Brunson’s stats began to improve as he became more confident in a starting role, but he was never handed the reins in full.

The return of Seth Curry may cause some push back on Brunson’s position as a starting or even second-string PG, but not by much.

The primary opinion on Brunson has him labeled as a No. 2 NBA point guard at best.

However, Brunson has been gifted with a team that needs him to be No. 1.

Every pro basketballer wants to be a superstar and Brunson is no different.

If his play towards the end of last season is any indicator, a full season of starting minutes may give Brunson the confidence to breakout.

A breakout point guard backing up Doncic? What Dallas fan would scoff at that?