The Dallas Mavericks attempted to surround reigning Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic with improved talent in the offseason, spending the summer re-signing one-time All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis along with several moves.
Per Slovenian outlet Sportinfo on Twitter, the 20-year-old wing believes he could lead the NBA in assists with the talent around him.
Doncic was asked if he would like to lead the league in assists: “Yeah, for sure. Who wouldn't like that.”
Is it realistic?
Luka: “Yeah, it can be. With players like we have on the Mavs, you can do it. For sure.”
Doncic was asked if he would like to lead the league in assists: "Yeah, for sure. Who wouldn't like that."
Is it realistic?
Luka: "Yeah, it can be. With players like we have on the Mavs, you can do it. For sure."
— Matej Sportinfo (@MatejSportinfo) October 1, 2019
In his first year in the Association, Doncic averaged 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 32.2 minutes per game. After blazing through his Real Madrid in Spain, Doncic arrived in the U.S., finding himself selected with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft and acquired by the Mavs in a draft day trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
Some free-agency additions Dallas made in the offseason was signing veteran Serbian center Boban Marjanovic, guard Seth Curry, and signing-and-trading for point guard Delon Wright. The Mavs also re-signed Porzingis, who has yet to step on the court for them after he was acquired last January due to ACL surgery recovery, veteran guard JJ Barea, and power forward Maxi Kleber.
It's unclear where the Mavs fit in the dynamic of the loaded Western Conference. Clearly the combination of Porzingis and Doncic could be a top duo in the league, but Doncic's message about surrounding talent could be taken with a grain of salt. At the moment it looks like Dallas will go as far as the two European top-five picks can take them.
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