5 Teams that the Mavericks need to avoid in the playoffs next year

1. Denver Nuggets

I'm pretty sure you know why the Denver Nuggets are number one on this list. They are the current NBA Champions and will do whatever it takes to get back to the mountaintop and repeat as champions.

NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and his Nuggets have everyone coming back except for Thomas Bryant, Jeff Green, and Bruce Brown. And while the latter two played pretty big roles, Denver will undoubtedly have players ready to step up and fill the void they left.

Don't be surprised if Christian Braun has a more significant role in the offense this year. He helped the Nuggets in the NBA Finals, coming off the bench and providing offense when the team was struggling to make baskets.

The fact that Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon are returning is going to make the Nuggets a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference this year once again.

The Dallas Mavericks need to do everything in their power to avoid these five teams if they want to make the NBA Finals next season. If they end up having to face any of these teams, they are going to have to buckle down and focus.

Any little mistakes that the Mavericks make against these five could spell the end of their season and their title hopes as a whole.