NBA 18/19: 3 things we have learned from the Dallas Mavericks season so far

The Dallas Mavericks have been one of the NBA's most consistent franchises over the last two decades. The team has only failed to make the playoffs three times since the turn of the century, as the team has enjoyed an extended period of competitiveness thanks to the influence of 14-time All-Star, Dirk Nowitzki.

The franchise is now edging closer to a new era without Nowitzki, and the team has made a number of moves to combat the veterans imminent retirement.

The team went all-in on 19-year-old Luka Doncic this summer, and the Mavericks will hope to be in a position to truly compete by the time that the Warriors dominance of the West comes to an end.

ALSO READ: 3 most disappointing players of the Houston Rockets season so far

While the organization is still building with the future in mind, the current team have performed well in the early stages of the 18/19 season, and here are three things that we have learned from Mavericks performances so far.

#3 The franchise will be fine without Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki has spent this season on the sidelines due to injury

It has always been daunting for the Dallas Mavericks to think of life without a player that has spent the last 20 seasons with the team, winning both an MVP award and the 2011 Championship. Nowitzki is set to finally end his career in the Summer, and the Mavericks team have this season demonstrated that they should be fine without him.

During the early stages of the 18/19 season, the Mavericks roster has successfully coped without the injured German, as the teams current 14-11 record puts them in the final playoff spot of a competitive Western Conference. With the emerging duo of Luka Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr., the Mavericks look to be in good hands, and fans of the franchise should no longer worry about life after Nowitzki.

#2 The playoffs are a possibility

The Mavericks have recovered from a poor start to the season

Getting to the Western Conference playoffs will be an achievement in itself for the young Mavericks team. The West is extremely competitive, and making the postseason will likely require the Mavericks to finish above teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz.

While the team is not in rebuild mode, the young players on the roster still have plenty of developing to do, and the playoffs seemed a big ask back in the summer. Nevertheless, DeAndre Jordan has been a great addition to the starting five, and the team has already picked up impressive wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors.

Despite the possibility of a postseason appearance, the Mavericks are unlikely to cause serious problems for the likes of the Lakers and Warriors. The experience will, however, be vital to young players such as Doncic, and a playoff series would ultimately provide a great platform for the franchise to build on next season.

#1 Luka Doncic is the future of the franchise

Luke Doncic form for the Dallas Mavericks has been one of the biggest talking points of the season so far

Going into the 18/19 NBA draft, Luka Doncic was rated by many as the best ever Euro League prospect. Despite this, few would have expected him to make the impact that he has had in the early stages of the season. The 19-year-old is currently averaging 17.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, and the Mavericks man is already the heavy favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award.

The Dallas Mavericks were desperate to sign the teenager during the summer and they were willing to give up both the draft rights to Trae Young and a protected 2019 first round pick. Nevertheless, the franchise's bold move already looks as though it has paid off, and Doncic looks certain to be a future NBA superstar. It seems that the Mavericks have done the impossible, by replacing Dirk Nowitzki with another European star.