The year 2019 has all but come to an end and it was sure a memorable one for the Dallas Mavericks.

You could argue the most memorable year for the franchise since they raised the Larry O’Brien trophy for the first time in 2011.

For the year 2020, the Mavericks have high hopes. What was once a bottom of the barrel lottery team just two years ago has quickly turned into a potential contending team in the West. What’s to expect in the next year?

The Mavs make the playoffs & advance to second round

This will make for the Mavericks first playoff appearance since the 2015-16 season. After being a playoff team 15 out of 16 times from 2000-01 to 2015-16, this season should begin another long streak of playoff appearances with Luka at the helm.

As it stands now, the Mavericks are 5th in the Western Conference and would play in-state rival Houston Rockets in the first round. A fun, high scoring series, indeed.

Whomever the Mavericks end up playing in the first round and whether they have home court advantage or not, the playoff experience won’t be there from this team as a whole.

Is that the be-all end-all? Not necessarily.

The way I see it is, come April, when you step into a playoff series, there aren’t many players in the Western Conference, let alone the entire league that I’d want to have the ball in their hands over Doncic.

Luka is an All-Star

He should’ve been last season if we’re being frank here. But this year? It’s an absolute lock.

And to add to this; he’ll be an All-Star starter. It’s just a no-brainer at this point.

Currently averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 9 assists, a statline that no one else in the league is putting up night after night.

Expect to see Doncic all over your television screens come All-Star weekend in Chicago again this year, appearing in the USA vs World game as well as the All-Star game on Sunday and maybe even the Skills competition again this year.

Dallas makes a move at the trade deadline

At what magnitude? Not sure.

I wouldn’t expect a huge acquisition unless a sweet deal fell into their lap worth shipping out a package that would deplete their depth, along with having the Warriors 2020 second round pick, that will surely be at the top of the second round.

Dallas has a good thing going right now from top to bottom but could they use another wing scoring threat or a bruiser down low? Absolutely.

As of last night, Tim Hardaway Jr. went down with a hamstring injury early in the first quarter against the Lakers. Depending on the length of his absence, another sharpshooting wing could be a target for the Mavericks.

A name that has been somewhat linked to the Mavericks is veteran Andre Iguodala, who has yet to play for the Grizzlies, awaiting a buy-out or trade to a contender, though it seems that Iggy would prefer to land with one of the Los Angeles teams.

Whether the Mavericks make a move or not, this team is primed for a playoff appearance. If they want to increase their chances of making run throughout the postseason, look for Dallas to be monitoring the phones and the buyout market come early 2020.

Luka makes an All-NBA team

This goes hand-in-hand with Luka being named an All-Star starter.

You can’t argue with the type of season the soon to be 21-year-old is having along with the surprising success of the Mavericks team as a whole.

Now, you may ask: which All-NBA team?

That’ll be tough. Depending on where the Mavericks land in the Western Conference, it’ll either be first or second team.

Another big factor will also be if Luka is eligible to be voted in as both a guard and a forward. By the looks of the All-Star ballot, he’s slated as only a guard but All-NBA voting could be different.

My guess? Luka will be named to the All-NBA First team along with James Harden, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, beginning a decade-plus of All-NBA honors for Doncic.

More National TV games in 2020 and beyond

It’s only right. With Luka growing into one of the best players in the entire league and the Mavericks forming into a top team in the West, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Mavs will be all over ESPN and TNT next season and beyond.

This season, the Mavs were scheduled to be on national TV 13 times and even then, they’ve already been flexed onto national broadcasts because of Luka and company.

To make things even better; the Mavericks will play on Christmas Day in 2020 and beyond for years to come.

Who plays on Christmas Day? The best players, the biggest names, and championship contenders (unless you’re the Knicks). The Mavericks have both; a contending team and one of the best players and biggest names in Luka.

Cheers to 2019 and what’s to come in 2020.