NBA 2018-19: 3 Dallas Mavericks players who created the most impact so far

After finishing at the bottom half of the table and failing to make it to the playoffs last season, the Dallas Mavericks entered this season with a bolstered lineup. They acquired Rookie Luka Doncic and free agent DeAndre Jordan in the offseason to keep their playoffs push alive.

However, their bad luck continues this season as they are currently a team with one of the worst records in the league. In all likelihood, they will miss the playoffs for third straight year. Although their record does not look good, there are few reasons to be happy about for the fans. Throughout the course of this article, we take a look at three players who created the most impact so far this season.

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#3 DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan joined the Mavericks on a one year deal

Stats: 11.4 points, 14.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 63.5 % shooting

After spending 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, DeAndre Jordan joined the Dallas Mavericks on a one-year $24.1 million deal in the 2018 offseason. The 30-year-old was one of the biggest names in the free agency during the summer.

Jordan is having a great season with the Mavericks and is currently averaging a double-double over the season. The Mavericks center has been one of the worst free-throw shooters in the league since the day he entered. After never shooting over 50.0 % from the charity stripe in his career, last season, Jordan shot at career-high 58.0 % from the free-throw line and showed a huge improvement.

This year, his free-throw shooting percentage further improved as the center is shooting at an incredible 71.0 % from the free-throw line. The opposition teams can no longer implement the Hack-A-Jordan and that is a huge sign of relief.

#2 Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is in his third season with the Mavericks

Stats: 18.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists per game on 42.6 % shooting

After joining the Dallas Mavericks team on a four-year, $90 million contract in the 2016 offseason, the 2015 NBA champion, Harris Barnes' career went to the next level as he quickly became their main player and carried the offense on his shoulder for two straight years. However, they failed to reach the playoffs both the years.

In his third season with the franchise, Barnes continues to shine and is coming up big with consistent performances. One significant improvement has been his three-point shooting as the former North Carolina product is currently shooting at a career-high 41.8 % from long range.

His standout performance this season came on the road against the Western Conference leading Denver Nuggets where he scored 30 points on an eye-catching 10-for-16 shooting but the Mavericks lost that night.

#1 Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic is the

front runner

for Rookie of the Year award

Stats: 19.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 42.9 % shooting

After getting selected with the third overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks, Luka Doncic was sent to Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the fifth overall pick, Trae Young. If you are the owner of the Hawks, you must be kicking yourself looking at the way Doncic has been performing in his rookie season.

The Slovenian sensation has already transitioned into the Mavericks' go-to guy and has had a number of standout performances already. Even though the Mavericks are struggling to pick up wins, Doncic has been a revelation for this team and is surprising everyone with his wide range of moves.

His favorite stepback three-pointer puts the defenders on skates everytime he pulls that move. The 19-year-old is the front runner for the Rookie of the Year award and the pundits are debating whether Luka is having the best rookie season since LeBron James'.

Doncic was also named the Rookie of the Month for November and is expected to defend it this month after going on a tear.