Nowitzki’s early injury accelerated Harrison Barnes’ role with Mavs Posted Apr 20, 2017 The Dallas Mavericks viewed Harrison Barnes as a player who could potentially step in and carry the No. 1 go-to mantel when Dirk Nowitzki decides to retire. So when Nowitzki was injured in the season opener at Indiana that afforded the Mavericks the opportunity to show why they signed Barnes to a four-year, $94 million free agent contract last summer. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)