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NBA Season Preview 2017-18: 20 things to watch this NBA season

By Bryan Toporek

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a foul shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bruce Yeung/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a foul shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bruce Yeung/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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10. The Dennis Smith Jr. era begins in Dallas

When the New York Knicks selected Frank Ntilikina eighth overall during the 2017 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks’ war room erupted in cheers, according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. That enabled them to select North Carolina State point guard Dennis Smith Jr. at No. 9, the prospect they “had circled,” as team president Donnie Nelson told reporters following the draft.

Smith didn’t take long to justify the Mavericks’ faith in him. During his six appearances at the Las Vegas Summer League, the rookie floor general went off for 17.3 points on 45.7 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.5 triples in just 25.9 minutes per game, earning him a spot on the All-NBA summer league first team. His dazzling performances shot him up the Rookie of the Year odds leaderboard, where he currently trails only Lonzo Ball, according to Odds Shark.

Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle can be tough on both rookies and point guards, which suggests Smith could be in for an up-and-down rookie year. But in Nerlens Noel and Dirk Nowitzki, he has ideal pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop partners, respectively. Meanwhile, Harrison Barnes, Seth Curry and Wes Matthews should help shoulder the team’s scoring load, which will reduce some of the pressure on Smith.

The 2017-18 campaign is shaping up as the year of the rookie point guard. Along with Fultz, Ball and De’Aaron Fox, Smith will help lead the way.

Next: 9. Are the Sacramento Kings… not awful?