NBA: 4 top teams to watch on League Pass in 2018-19

Dallas Mavericks: Projected wins – 34

Dallas Mavericks‘ owner Marc Cuban is ready to be back to the playoffs. I’m not quite sure they’ll reach that feat this season, but Dallas has a lot to look forward to after adding EuroLeague sensation Luka Doncic in this year’s draft.

Doncic is an excellent playmaker, and at 6-foot-8, 220 lbs, he has excellent size to make things that much easier for him. Doncic had one of the greatest years in European Basketball history, winning the EuroLeague MVP and the EuroLeague championship, at the age of 19.

He also takes the pressure off of Dennis Smith Jr., who isn’t a prototypical point guard, and plays a little more like prime Derrick Rose. This will let Smith take a step back and look to create his own shots, and let Doncic create for the rest of the team.

Doncic’s presence also takes a lot of heat off of Harrison Barnes. The Mavs brought Barnes in from Golden State to be ‘The Guy’ and he just doesn’t seem comfortable taking over a game and being that guy. With Doncic on the floor, he has someone to set him up with efficient shots.

With DeAndre Jordan, his role is obvious. GO GET THE BALL! Whether Doncic is throwing a lob, or grabbing a rebound, go get it. Jordan’s presence will help them on the boards, which giving up offensive boards cost the Mavericks a number of games last season.

The playoffs may not be realistic for Dallas, but with this exciting, young backcourt, they’ll be in a number of close games, and it’ll be fun to watch.