Dallas Mavericks
1 Colossal question: How much will the postseason impact the offseason?
I'm not sure there is anyone who could've predicted how this season has played out for the Dallas Mavericks. After making the bold move for Klay Thompson during the offseason, the overwhelming belief was that they had acquired a player who could emerge as a potnetial final piece of their championship puzzle. However, that sentiment quickly changed when the Mavs surprisingly traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
The official trade was much more nuanced than that simple swap but that's what most will remember it as. Heading into the final stretch of the season, it's hard to predict what lies ahead for the Mavs. With AD already dealing with injuries, it's hard to imagine how this season ends on a strong note for Dallas. However, this is certainly the new reality that the team has carved out for themselves. One question this franchise will have to answer is, how much will the postseason impact potential moves during the offseason?
Denver Nuggets
1 Colossal question: Is this the final run for this core?
When the Denver Nuggets were struggling out of the gate, there was much talk about the potential of this being the last hurrah for the current core of Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, and Michael Porter Jr. Much of that talk surrounding the possibility of an MPJ trade at the deadline. However, the Nuggets have done a great job of rebounding after their slow start to the year and have quickly become one of the most consistent threats to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.
That said, if the Nuggets lose in the first or second round, those same early-season questions are going to quickly return. What the front office needs to decide or answer during the final few weeks of the season is whether change is on the horizon for the team or not - and whether or how much that will depend on how this season ends. There is much at stake for many teams across the league heading into the final stretch run, but the argument could be made that the Nuggets' future largely depends on how the next couple of months play out.