Dallas Mavericks: Four Lottery Teams with a Chance at 2019 Playoffs

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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 2: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on March 2, 2018 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The NBA playoffs are still going. The Draft hasn’t happened yet and free agency is still in the distance. Even still, are there teams that could be in line for a big jump in the NBA standings next season? Are the Dallas Mavericks one of them?

There is almost always a little bit of turnover each year when it comes to the playoffs as teams in the Draft Lottery look to improve, while teams in the playoff picture have to make decisions on whether to push for more mediocre playoff runs or change things up and start the rebuilding process.

It is never easy to make those kinds of decisions, but every team does so in order to get to where they need to be. That is the ugly side of the coin. However, when the decision is made correctly, you can turn into a team that is on the verge of relevance again, thanks to rebuilding around new, young talent. Those are the teams we are talking about today.

Some of the teams currently set to be in the NBA Draft Lottery are still many moves away from playoff relevance. Teams like the Brooklyn Nets are still missing key pieces, as well as the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and Sacramento Kings. All of these teams have made steps in the right direction, but will likely still be on the outside looking in.

Other teams will depend mightily on the moves they make this summer. The Memphis Grizzlies current roster was a playoff-relevant team not too long ago, but are they still in that picture when healthy? How bout the LA Clippers? A perennial playoff team with an experienced coach that may be looking at their first rebuild in years?

Here are a few teams that I think could be playoff relevant as early as next year.

Next: Chicago Bulls

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