Dallas Mavericks: Way Too Early 2019 Playoff Picture in the West

The Dallas Mavericks have high hopes of making the playoffs next season. Here is a way too early look at the playoff picture in 2019.

“Next year” was the words Dennis Smith Jr. used at his exit interview on when the Mavericks were going to make the playoffs.

The optimism was contagious, but it will take a big summer for Dallas to improve from their 24 wins this past season.

Here is a way too early look at that playoff picture for next season.

Locks

Golden State– Probably a lock for the next five years at least.

Houston– The top seed in the West and the core should be back. Chris Paul is a free agent, but I would assume he will be back because of their success this year.

San Antonio– The Spurs fell to the seventh seed after spending the majority of the year in the 4-5 seed range. All without Kawhi Leonard. Next season, the Leonard situation will be handled. If he is on the team and healthy, they will be right back in the playoffs. If they trade Leonard, they should get a package worthy enough of making the playoffs.

Probably

Utah– The Jazz should probably be in the lock category. The core of Ingles, Gobert, Rubio and Donovan Mitchell will be back. They will also have cap space to improve the roster around the core.

Minnesota– Before Jimmy Butler went down, they were in the 4-5 seed range most of the year. Bottom line, they finished the season as the 8th seed with a roster that should be near the same next season. The talent should make this team a lock.

Portland– They finished as the three seed in the West and don’t have the flexibility to switch up the roster a great deal. If they keep the same team, they should be a lock. If they decide to break up the back court, you never know then.

Borderline

Denver– The Nuggets barely missed on the playoffs this season and quite frankly, if they miss next year it will probably signal big changes coming. Will Barton is the only big free agent they should have.

New Orleans– What they do with DeMarcus Cousins will be huge. If they bring him back, they should move up a category. Even though they have been successful without him, can that same lineup perform at the same rate for an entire season without him?

Memphis– A healthy Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, in addition to their top draft pick, could push the Grizzlies back to the playoffs. But you can’t just assume good health for this Memphis team.

Question Marks

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Los Angeles Clippers– DeAndre Jordan is arguably their best player and he has a player option to decide on. If he leaves, will they spend their money for a playoff push or tank the season for the summer of 2019?

Oklahoma City– The table is set for another wild summer in Oklahoma City. If Paul George leaves, that would leave Westbrook, Adams and Carmelo Anthony as the core. But even then, OKC could try to rid themselves of Anthony. There are a lot of question marks for their roster this offseason.

Los Angeles Lakers– They have the money and the plans to pursue the best in the game. They could be back at the bottom or right in the playoffs if they land their free agent desires.

Bottom

Sacramento– The Kings will welcome another high draft pick to their young core and should be back at the bottom next season.

Phoenix– Phoenix could take a jump if they land a free agent, but they will continue to build around their young core of Booker, Jackson and their new draft pick.

Where does the Dallas Mavericks currently fit in at the moment?

Dennis Smith Jr., Harrison Barnes, Wesley Matthews and Dirk Nowitzki will be back. Then add in a most likely top five draft pick and a ton of cap space and suddenly, the Mavericks have numerous ways to improve the roster.

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At the moment, Dallas should probably be in the question mark category. If they land a solid free agent, they would definitely move into the borderline category and maybe even the probably category depending on the addition.