Luka Dončić is already a top 10 NBA player at 21-years old. But for the Mavericks to reach contention, he needs to bring his game up one more level.

It sounds crazy to say, right? The 21-year old averaged 28 points per game, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. But, there are aspects of his game that, if he capitalizes on, he can be the best player of this generation. Let's take a look.

Shot selection and three-point percentage:

Donćič is a big guard who utilizes his size to see over the defense. However, because his size is such an advantage, he tends to fall in love with contested jump shots–especially down the stretch in tight games.

It's his love of contested jump shots that you can attribute to his low three-point field goal percentage. In the 2019-20 season, Dončić converted on 31 percent of his three-point attempts. The thing is, he is better than what the percentage may say.

His shooting mechanics are smooth, and his high release point makes his shot almost impossible to block. The thing that holds him back is his love for deep, contested, step-back threes.

Of his 187 made three-pointers last season, only 44 were assisted, according to basketball reference. What is important to keep in mind is that Dončić is responsible for all of Dallas' offensive creation. However, if a rise in shooting percentages is expected, he has to be willing to move off-ball and be utilized partly as a catch and shoot threat. There is a value in being a high volume, high percentage three-point shooter, and the next step in his game would be to see the three-point percentage rise to a respectable 34-38 percent. Dončić won't be Steph Curry, but he has the ability to be an elite offensive threat from 23 feet and out if more open threes were created for him.

Usage Rate and Luka's next level: 

Dallas has tasked Dončić with being everything for the team. It has created great moments along the way and spurred the nickname for his sensational plays as "Luka Magic." But if the Mavs really want to contend, moving Dončić off the ball, will be a key for the 2020-21 season.

Last season saw Dončić dawn a 36.8 percent usage rate. To put that into perspective, He outpaced James Harden in that department. The ball never left Dončić's hand, unless it was the pass to the open shot. If the Mavs' modus operandi is winning a championship, it needs the ball out of Luka's hands.

Players with astronomical usage rates all season, very rarely find the same success in the postseason. There is a reason Harden always looks tired come the second round of the playoffs.

The same happened for Dončić this season. By the time the Mavericks played the Clippers, he was beaten up and banged up. His rookie year saw his numbers dip after the all-star break, and the Mavs fell out of playoff contention due to it. The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint. And if Luka wants to get to that next level pacing his usage rate and offensive responsibility is a necessity this season. A lower usage rate means an uptick in late-season production and fewer nagging injuries that keep him limited in must-win games.

This season:

For Dončić and the Mavs, the future is now. The key to his MVP season comes in making sure he doesn't burn out halfway through and increasing his overall shooting efficiency. Essentially, Luka's next level is realizing he doesn't have to do everything himself.

For more on the Mavs, check out the offseason at a glance.

Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports