The time has come to rank all 20 year players on the Mavs training camp roster on their importance to the team during the upcoming season, These rankings aren't necessarily ranking the players in order of ability but rather how important their potential impact can be on this year's squad and also going forward in the years to come.
20. Ding Yanyuhang: The Chinese forward was a fan favorite when he played for the Mavs Summer League team in Las Vegas in 2017. He was signed to a non-guaranteed deal seemingly so he could play in the Mavs two preseason game in his native country but a good camp could possibly put him in contention for a roster spot.
19. Codi Miller-McIntyre: Miller-McIntyre is in a similar spot as Ding having signed with the Mavs after playing the last two seasons in Europe after a four year college career at Wake Forest. He is considered a solid floor general as a point guard but must improve on his outside shot to have any hope of sticking in the NBA.
18. Jalen Jones: The Dallas native is back with the Mavs after playing in 12 games toward the end of last season. Jones always plays hard but must improve his overall skill level to carve out a NBA role.
17. Kostas Antetkounmpo: The brother of the Greak Freak and the final pick of June's draft, Antetokounmpo was signed to one of the team's two 2-way-contracts. He will almost surely spend most of the year in Frisco with the Legends as he is viewed as a long term project after one year of college ball at Dayton.
16. Daryl Macon: The other 2-way-player, Macon went undrafted after spending 2 years at Arkansas. He proved himself to be a reliable shooter in college, shooting 40.5% from three over his 2 years. Like Antetokounmpo, expect him to be with the Legends almost exclusively.
15. Ray Spalding: The 56th pick in the draft, the Mavs showed faith in Spalding by signing him to a multi-year deal. Considered a draft steal by some, Spalding is an intriguing big man project, however expect him to also spend a lot of time with the Legends.
14. Salah Mejri: Mejri is back for a 4th season in Dallas after signing a one year deal for the vet minimum. At age 32, you know what to expect from Mejri as a good change of pace center who will always give 100% and rebound and protect the rim.
13. Maxi Kleber: A year ago not much was know about Kleber besides that he shared a hometown with one Dirk Werner Nowitzki. However he turned in a surprise rookie campaign, even starting in 36 games. There are still areas he must improved to earn regular rotation minutes, such as three point shooting, but Kleber has shown he belongs on a NBA roster.
12. Jalen Brunson: Not many second round picks are expected to play much as rookies but Brunson might be one to buck that trend. Last year's College Basketball Player of the Year, Brunson has been a winner throughout his basketball life, winning two titles in three years as Villanova's starting point guard. While not an elite athlete, Brunson has a natural feel for the game and typically gets to where he needs to go.
11. Ryan Broekhoff: After losing Doug McDermott in free agency, the Mavs found a replacement in the Australian sharp shooter who shot over 50% from deep playing in Russia last year. Playing with passers such as Luka Doncic, Dennis Smith and J.J. Barea should result in plenty of open looks for Broekhoff and his pedigree shows that he should knock them down.
10. Dorian Finney-Smith: His third year in the league will be a big one for DSJ's BFF after missing most of last year due to injury. The question with Finney-Smith still remains a suspect outside shot. There has been a lot of talk from the Mavs about an improved form and mechanics but it's time to see that pay off in game situations. We know what DFS bring as a defender but without offensive improvement his overall impact can only be so much.
9. Devin Harris: Back for a third stint as a Mav, Harris is an important part of a bench unit that wrecked opposing benches last season. What the 35-year-old has lost from his hyper-athletic youth, he makes up for in veteran guile and experience. Harris, also draws raves as a veteran mentor and with two promising young guards on the team that can be invaluable.
8. Dwight Powell: Coming off a career year that silenced a lot of critics it is now up to Powell to take another step forward in his development. Powell showed himself to be one of the top roll guys in the league, and while he'll never be much of an outside shooting threat, he made enough perimeter looks to at least keeps defenses somewhat honest. Going up against DeAndre Jordan in practice every day should be a giant help for Powell who can still get overpowered at times by larger big men.
7. J.J. Barea: Defying convention, the 34-year-old water bug keeps getting better with each passing season. Perhaps the league's best backup point guard, Barea leads the Mavs potent second unit with uncanny precision. Him and Dirk know each other so well after so many years together and that will only continue now that Dirk is coming off the bench.
6. Wesley Matthews: Matthews's tenure with the Mavs has seen plenty of ups and downs but perhaps this might be setting up to be the Iron Man's best year in a Dallas uniform. Matthews has been asked to do too much on offense, especially when it comes to dribbling and playmaking. Now with the addition of Doncic, Matthews will be freed to do what he does best on the offensive end, catch and shoot. On the other end he will continue to guard the opponent's best perimeter scorer, a role he embraces.
5. Dirk Nowitzki: In his 21th season, the NBA's 6th all-time leading scorer will be asked to something completely foreign to him, come off the bench. It shouldn't be a problem however. First of all, Dirk is always willing to do what's best for the team. Second of all, he's has had great success in recent years playing with the Mavs' bench units, so that won't be that unusual for him. We all know this could be the last season for the Big German, so make sure to savor every last drop of it.
4. Harrison Barnes: Barnes has produced admirably the last 2 seasons as the teams's best player and go-to scorer. While he will remain as the team's #1 offensive option most likely, Barnes will be free from a lot of the pressure he saw, especially when it comes to creating his own shot. HB is such an adaptable player he can play a lot of different roles on a team as he showed as part of a championship team in Golden State. He might never be an all-star but Barnes but is a top 50 player and a high character individual which goes a long way.
3. DeAndre Jordan: Three years after leaving the Mavs at the free agency alter, Jordan has finally arrived to wear Dallas on his chest. Jordan gives the Mavs something that only Tyson Chandler has given them in their franchise history, a huge interior presence who can dominates the boards like few can. Not only that, Jordan should have a field days catching lobs from DSJ and Luka. Jordan after all has the best field goal percentage in NBA history by a wide margin over who else but Chandler.
2. Dennis Smith Jr.: Year two is considered the year where NBA players make their biggest jump and Smith looks like he should prove no exception to that role. After a promising rookie campaign that saw him make second team All-Rookie, DSJ will now be joined in the backcourt with another uber-promising youngster who should take much of the burden off Smith, who was asked to do much last year out of necessity. Outside shooting is obviously the area that he must improve in the most but that is typically the case for most young guards, who gradually see upticks in their efficiency as they mature in the league.
1. Luka Donic: The hype is unreal for the teenage sensational and for good reason. No player his age as entered the league with such an accomplished resume as the reigning EuroLeague MVP. Donic is a special talent who the Mavs were able to acquire after three teams inexplicably passed on him on draft night. There will be growing pains of course, there always is with young players, but Luka's special feel for the game and basketball IQ will make him the next face of the franchise whenever Dirk decides to hang them up, that is if he ever does.
