DALLAS — Although the Dallas Mavericks admit that they won’t place too much responsibility on point guard Dennis Smith Jr.’s shoulders early in his first season, coach Rick Carlisle and the team’s veterans will attempt to groom the team’s first-round draft pick into a cornerstone for the franchise throughout his rookie year.
Opening up training camp Tuesday prior to beginning the 2017-18 schedule at home against Atlanta on Oct. 18, the Mavericks will try to bounce back from a 33-49 campaign last season. In order to do so, Carlisle is hopeful the Mavs can hit the ground running with Smith in the starting lineup.