The Dallas Mavericks are led by a young player, as Luka Doncic is somehow entering just his fourth season in the league. In those first three years, he has made two All-NBA teams and done simply magnificent things in the playoffs, even if his team has lost to the LA Clippers in the first round both times.
Unfortunately for the Mavericks, they have failed to develop a lot of young pieces around and behind Doncic. Last year the team added two players in the top-31 picks of the draft, Josh Green and Tyrell Terry, and neither could even sniff the rotation last year. The organization seems ready to find a way to win right now with Doncic, which likely makes it difficult for Green or Terry to find much time this year as well.
Breakout Player: Jalen Brunson. The one younger player who has earned minutes on this roster is Brunson, the former Villanova point guard who has come along as Doncic’s primary backup and occasional partner in the backcourt. Brunson is not an athletically explosive player, but he’s very smart and careful with the ball in his hands. He shot over 40 percent from 3-point range last season. If he can increase his minutes closer to 30 a night, maintain that accuracy and take a step forward as a defender, he could be part of the closing five for a very good Dallas Mavericks team.