Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is coming off a tremendous first year in the NBA that led to the Slovenian earning Rookie of the Year honors, providing the Mavs with their next franchise player following Dirk Nowitzki's retirement.

Dallas values Doncic so much, as a matter of fact, that head coach Rick Carlisle said at media day he “wouldn't trade Doncic for anybody,” according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

Carlisle raved about Doncic's ability to make his teammates better, comparing his impact to Larry Bird, whom Carlisle played with on the Boston Celtics in the '80s.

Doncic played in 72 games this past season, averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals over 32.2 minutes per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor, 32.7 percent from 3-point range and 71.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Obviously, it would be nicer if Doncic were a little more efficient, but those are incredible numbers for a 20-year-old.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Jason Kidd reveals Mavericks’ potential Cooper Flagg plan
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Max Christie (00) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center.
Mavericks’ Jason Kidd gets brutally honest on Luka Doncic trade

The Mavs will now get the opportunity to pair Doncic with fellow young star Kristaps Porzingis, whom the Mavericks acquired from the New York Knicks in a trade midway through last season.

Porzingis did not play at all in 2018-19 while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during the 2017-18 campaign, but Dallas is looking forward to watching the two youngsters play together this coming season.

The Mavs won just 33 games last season and have missed the playoffs three years in a row, representing their longest drought since 2000.

Dallas will open its regular season by hosting the Washington Wizards on Oct. 23.