Change has come and will continue for the young Dallas Mavericks, who begin their 38th NBA season on Wednesday by hosting the Atlanta Hawks at the American Airlines Center.
Wednesday also marks the transition of sorts between the team’s all-time leading scorer, Dirk Nowitzki, and his potential heir-apparent to the scorer’s role in forward Harrison Barnes.
After a 5-2 preseason run, the regular-season begins with the confidence that Barnes might be the guy to build the franchise around on the long term.
The 6-foot-8 Barnes spent four seasons in Golden State and won one title before signing a four-year, $94 million free agent contract with the Mavericks in 2016.