Fansided

5 NBA players having breakout 2016-17 seasons

By Roje Smith

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dunks against Pero Antic #6 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 20, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dunks against Pero Antic #6 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 20, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 28: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets and Nene Hilario #42 of the Houston Rockets in the second half at American Airlines Center on October 28, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 28: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets and Nene Hilario #42 of the Houston Rockets in the second half at American Airlines Center on October 28, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

3. Harrison Barnes – SF – Dallas Mavericks

There has been a lot of hype with Harrison Barnes for more than five years now. It started in high school where he was considered to be the top prospect in the country. As a freshman at North Carolina, his name appeared on the preseason All-American team. While he didn’t quite live up to the lofty expectations set for him in college, Barnes still had a very good two-year stint. The Golden State Warriors eventually drafted him seventh overall in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Despite winning an NBA Championship with the Warriors and being a contributing factor, Harrison was recognized more for being the teammate of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Therefore, he decided to sign with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason. It presented him with the opportunity to get paid significantly more and to be a featured player in their offense.

So far in the 2016-17 season, Barnes is averaging 22.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. His point production is more than double what his career average is. Additionally, his field goal percentage sits at an impressive .491. It’s also a career-high despite Barnes taking twice as many shots as he did in Golden State.

Harrison Barnes was always seen as a special player with a lot of potential. He is finally starting to show that potential and, at the age of 24, will only get better. The Mavericks have found the player for the great Dirk Nowitzki to pass the torch to.

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