5. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have walked the talk through the first few weeks of the season. With the additions they made during the offseason, the Mavs have been a bit better than expected so far this season. And that’s without Kyrie Irving really breaking out. The Mavs have played within their offseason, which looks fantastic so far this season, and it’s paid off with big wins. Luka Doncic is off to a hot start and the rest of the supporting cast has followed magically.
Tim Hardaway Jr. is on pace to have one of the best seasons of his career and he’s been the exact third supporting difference-maker that the Mavs needed heading into the season. Grant Williams has proven to be a worthy offseason pickup and Derrick Jones has been an underrated – and perhaps somewhat unlikely – contributor.
It’s still too early to tell how good the Mavs can be this season or where they’ll end up being ranked in the Western Conference but this is just the start they needed to begin the year.