Hoops Habit
Fansided

Dallas Mavericks: 3 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season

By Simon Smith

DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 21: (L-R) Luka Doncic #77 Harrison Barnes #40 Dirk Nowitzki #41 DeAndre Jordan #6 and Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks pose for a portrait during the Dallas Mavericks Media Day on September 21, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 21: (L-R) Luka Doncic #77 Harrison Barnes #40 Dirk Nowitzki #41 DeAndre Jordan #6 and Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks pose for a portrait during the Dallas Mavericks Media Day on September 21, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Following a significant injection of talent over the offseason, here are three bold predictions for the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018-19 NBA season.

It’s been tough going for the Dallas Mavericks since their breakthrough NBA title in 2011.

While they’ve made the postseason on four occasions since capturing that elusive crown, they have won just five total playoff games during this stretch, with last season representing the first time since the 1999-00 season that the franchise has missed the playoffs in back-to-back years.

Armed with a high lottery pick following a 24-58 record, the Mavericks’ front office went all in, trading a future first round selection to the Atlanta Hawks to enable them jump two spots in the draft and land European star Luka Doncic.

Although he’s only 19 years old, Doncic won the EuroLeague MVP award this year in addition to taking the EuroLeague title and earning EuroLeague Final Four MVP honors. In other words, he could be anything.

In addition to Doncic, the Mavericks also welcomed aboard DeAndre Jordan, signed as a free agent  three years after his infamous reneging of a verbal commitment to join the team. With an exciting returning cast consisting of second-year rising star Dennis Smith Jr. and forward Harrison Barnes about to enter his prime, there’s every reason for optimism in Dallas despite being situated in an increasingly brutal Western Conference.

So with just a few weeks remaining before opening night, here are three bold predictions for the Mavericks in 2018-19.

Home/Dallas Mavericks