DALLAS — Seeing 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki miss 25 of the Dallas Mavericks’ first 30 games during the 2016-17 season due to a nagging right Achilles strain, versatile forward Harrison Barnes quickly assumed the role as the team’s go-to scorer early in his first campaign with the franchise.
Inking a reported four-year deal worth $94 million in free agency last summer during free agency, Barnes came to Dallas with high expectations after making two straight trips to the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors and capturing the 2015 title. He then lived up and exceeded those expectations in his first season with the Mavericks, averaging a team-high and career-best 19.