When you look at the Mavericks’ point-guard position, it’s easy to slip into that set-it-and-forget-it mentality.
That’s what happens when you have Luka Dončić.
But having the best player in the world at that position (apologies to Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Steph Curry) doesn’t mean you can’t make the position even better.
That’s why we start this discussion with Jalen Brunson.
When the Mavericks open training camp in two weeks, Brunson will be one of the most intriguing storylines.
Why, you ask?
The fourth-year guard will be getting used to a new coach, one who was a bigger point guard than most in his playing days that gave then-coach Rick Carlisle the versatility to play smallish shooting guards like J.J. Barea.
That doesn’t mean we will see Brunson and Dončić in the starting lineup, but it could mean that they get extended times together. The benefit in theory would be that Luka doesn’t have to handle the ball quite as much and Jason Kidd would be able to generate more playmaking opportunities for both players.
For that reason, Brunson is likely to have a major role during Kidd’s first season as the Mavericks’ coach.
And we haven’t even mentioned the fact that Brunson is going into his contract season.
This combination probably gives the Mavericks the nod over any competition in the point-guard department. And it’s a competitive group.
There’s always a Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox or Trae Young waiting around the corner. But the Mavericks take a back seat to nobody.
It starts with Luka, of course. He’s a walking triple-double and there is no reason to think his numbers will diminish from the 27.7 points, 8.6 assists and 8 rebounds he averaged last season.
If there is one number that the Mavericks would like to see decrease, it’s Dončić’s minutes. They have risen each of his first three seasons to 34.3 per game last season.
That’s another spot where Brunson could help.
Brunson, by the way, averaged career bests across the board last season: 12.6 points, 3.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 25 minutes and 40.5 percent 3-point shooting.
As for when he was on the court with Dončić, the Mavericks averaged 5.1 more points than their opponents per 100 possessions. That was the fifth best among all two-man combinations for the Mavericks.
So this is a combination that deserves more than a casual look.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be other ballhandlers involved.
Trey Burke figures to be the third of the three point guards in the potential playing rotation. Tyrell Terry could also be involved, although he is viewed more as a shooter than a distributor.
In addition, newcomer JaQuori McLaughlin also is viewed more as a combo guard.
So, headed into camp, here’s the breakdown at point guard:
Luka Dončić: 6-7, fourth season, averaged 27.7 points, 8.7 assists and 8 rebounds last season. What to watch for: Really only two things, his free-throw shooting and his 3-point shooting. If he improves both of those just slightly, it will make him completely unguardable – although he’s not far from it as it is now.
Jalen Brunson: 6-1, fourth season, averaged 12.6 points, 3.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds last season. What to watch for: He doesn’t need a breakout season. He’s already had a breakout career with two better-than-expected years and one that was sabotaged by injury. Brunson simply needs to stay consistent and aggressive.
Trey Burke: 6-0, ninth season, averaged 6.6 points and 1.3 assists last season. What to watch for: Burke had a rough 2020-21 season. His 3-point shooting (35.4 percent) was a big dropoff from the previous season (43.2 percent). Burke can be a streaky scorer off the bench, which the Mavericks will need at some point this season.
Twitter: @ESefko
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