The Dallas Mavericks made nice splashes in the 2018 NBA Draft and free agency, but will it be enough to earn a postseason berth?

Loyalty is a rare thing.

That’s why when the NBA’s model organization, the San Antonio Spurs, lost one of its longest-tenured veterans in Tony Parker, the shock value lasted only minutes. Blockbuster trades and signings aren’t just desired, they’re now expected.

Parker joining the Charlotte Hornets was and is still overshadowed by the Kawhi Leonard saga, a dramatic narrative that culminated with the Spurs deporting Leonard to the Toronto Raptors.

The Dallas Mavericks are blessed to have Dirk Nowitzki for a 21st consecutive season. The low-maintenance, highly respected future Hall-of-famer agreed to sign a one-year, $5 million deal, per Yahoo! Sports’ Shams Charania.

Last year, Business Insider reported that Nowitzki has sacrificed in excess of $194 million for the franchise over the course of his career.

Dirk Nowitzki has sacrificed as much as $194 million in discount contracts for the Mavericks https://t.co/VE3ySIbRsl pic.twitter.com/AwDvdRLhGM — Business Insider (@businessinsider) July 7, 2017

The Mavericks made headlines for all the right reasons this offseason — trading up in the draft for European prospect Luka Doncic and signing All-NBA center DeAndre Jordan to a one-year deal — but there are still many questions surrounding the team’s future. Here are three takeaways from the 2018 offseason.