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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dallas Mavericks

Good news, everyone! We’ve reached the level of “teams that might actually be competitive this year!” The Mavs had a brutal fall from grace this year, but they bave enough talent that a return to form can’t be ruled out. For one thing, three years later, they avenged their most embarrassing free agency moment, and brought in DeAndre Jordan, an All-Star who can effect the game on both sides of the ball. Jordan is considerably better than anyone on the Mavs last year, and should immediately make them more competitive.

Elsewhere, Dennis Smith, Jr. had the same struggles that have =been all-too-common among teenage point guards but he showed flashes of brilliance, and should improve considerably thanks to another year of experience and a better team behind him. Harrison Barnes has never quite fit in relative to his talent. On the Warriors, he was an afterthought, which was unfair considering his very real talents. In his first two years in Dallas, he became a number one option out of necessity, which was a little bit above his skill level. For the first, neither too little or too much will be expected of Barnes, and he could have his most comfortable season as a pro as a result.

And of course, there’s Luka. The teenage Spanish League MVP with one of the most impressive basketball IQs we’ve seen in years. It’s not unreasonable to expect him to compete for Rookie of the Year and play key minutes right away. If everything goes right, it’s not hard to picture the Mavericks hovering at .500. A playoff appearance may be too much to ask for in a tough Western Conference, but this team should improve considerably over last year’s disaster.

Oh, and Dirk is still here. It’s his 21st season, but he’ll probably put up something like 46-39-87. Because Dirk.