NBA Rumors: Luka Doncic 'Often' Best Player in Pickup Games at Mavs' Facility

Luka Doncic joined his team relatively late compared to his fellow rookies, but he has wasted little time making a strong impression on his new Dallas Mavericks teammates.

ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon spoke to sources who said "Doncic has often been the best player on the court in pickup games at the Mavs' facility despite not being in great shape by NBA standards."

Doncic missed all of the NBA Las Vegas Summer League since he had to wait until July to make his contract with the Mavericks official.

As he heads into his first season, how long Doncic needs to adjust to the NBA is one of the early concerns about his game.

The 19-year-old is fresh off helping Real Madrid win the 2018 EuroLeague, during which he was named EuroLeague MVP. He averaged 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in nine appearances in the competition.

Both the EuroLeague and Spanish league are different from the NBA, though. For every Kristaps Porzingis, who immediately took to playing in the United States, there's a Sergio Rodriguez, a decorated European player who hasn't enjoyed the same success in the NBA.

The Mavericks aren't quite in full-on tank mode since they signed DeAndre Jordan to a one-year, $22.8 million deal, but Doncic should have every opportunity to see big playing time in 2018-19. Dallas' primary focus has to be on the long term as it develops the pair of Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr.

Pickup games in the offseason are a far cry from five-on-five action in the regular season, but they represent a nice way for Doncic to build the necessary comfort level with his Mavs teammates.