Let's deal in reality before we step into the fantasy world.

The Mavericks are not going to be a playoff team in 2018-19. There's simply too much ground to cover for a 24-win team in the Western Conference, no matter what kind of magic they might have up their sleeve.

So let's all agree that they are aiming to be back on the NBA map in the 2019-2020 season. Making the playoffs that season is plausible.

Now, let's step into fantasy world.

If this is a process that will last two more years, then the Mavericks have a plan that, with a little luck, can be executed and will put them in the playoffs in two years.

So we'll call this plan: Dream Team 2020.

The challenge is simple. We will put together the drop-dead gorgeous starting lineup and a couple of top reserves for the 2019-20 Mavericks season.

We'll start with one of the (few) known quantities.

Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. addresses the fans before the season finale against the Phoenix Suns at American Airlines Center on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News) (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

Point guard: Dennis Smith Jr.

The Mavericks have someone that can run their team, and maybe be one of the top five playmakers in the league, by his third season. If Smith isn't an 18-and-8 guy by that time, then something probably has gone haywire and the Mavericks might be looking at another reboot.

Real Madrid's Slovenian Luka Doncic poses for a photograph with the team's President Florentino Perez as they celebrate their 85-80 win over Fenerbahce in the Euroleague Final Four finals basketball match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul at The Stark Arena in Belgrade on May 20, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Andrej ISAKOVICANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images (ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / Getty Images)

Shooting guard: Luka Doncic

Since we're forecasting the future, we're going to tell you exactly what will happen with this year's draft. Somehow, someway, the Mavericks are going to figure out how to get the Slovenian teenager to Dallas. It will require sacrificing some other assets to get up to No. 2 in the draft, which means you may have to help Sacramento expedite its rebuilding process. The No. 5 pick, Wes Matthews and Yogi Ferrell might do it. Regardless, Doncic will be worth it. He's a combo guard but will have the sort of skills that make him simply a player you have to have on the court. Think about someone like Nic Batum, who has averaged 14 points and nearly 6 assists and 6 rebounds over the last three seasons. That's the kind of talent Doncic has and that's why he will be a great piece to get the rebuild over the hump.

Small forward: Harrison Barnes

He's the only other known quantity right now. He will be entering the last season of his four-year contract, and while it's a player option he'll have $25 million reasons to exercise that option. The hope is that Barnes continues to be an 18- to 20-point scorer and rounds out the rest of his game, including becoming a better rebounder. If he can do that that, the Mavericks will continue to have a solid contributor.

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 26: Zion Williamson of Spartanburg Day School attempts a dunk during the 2018 McDonald's All American Game POWERADE Jam Fest at Forbes Arena on March 26, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Power forward: Zion Williamson

Dirk Nowitzki is retired by this point. The Mavericks will have, let's say, the sixth pick of the 2019 draft and will take the beefy 6-6 Williamson. He will not disappoint. They will be infatuated by Bol Bol, the son of Manute who is 7-3 and will have had a breakout freshman season at Oregon in 2018-19. But picking Williamson after a standout freshman season at Duke is a stroke of genius and the Mavericks actually get a little lucky on top of identifying a good draft pick. Williamson, from Spartanburg, S.C., turns out to be the second coming of Charles Barkley.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 06: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets controls the ball in the second half during Game Four of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 100-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) (Gene Sweeney Jr. / Getty Images)

Center: Clint Capela

The Houston Rockets, having been smacked badly by Golden State in the 2018 Western Conference finals, figure out the only way they are going to beat this generation of the Warriors is with LeBron James. They mortgage the farm, get rid of Capela, along with high-dollar reserves such as Eric Gordon and/or Ryan Anderson, and get James to Houston. The Mavericks are the beneficiary. Capela is exactly the kind of center they need - young, mobile and a dynamic rebounder and defender. It's a product of them being in the right place at the right time and deciding that they didn't need to go after DeMarcus Cousins. Capela will quickly make all fans forget about Mo Bamba.

SMU guard Shake Milton (1) shoots a free throw during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against USC at Moody Coliseum on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Dallas. SMU won the game 72-55. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News) (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

Key reserves: Eric Gordon, Shake Milton and Dwight Powell

The Mavericks get Milton with their second-round pick in 2018 and realize they got a terrific two-way player who can contribute. Gordon's arrival is via the Capela deal, and Powell will be in the final year of his contract. It's also possible that J.J. Barea sticks around as an insurance guard off the bench.

So there you have it, an eight-man rotation that puts the Mavericks at least in the conversation when it comes to analyzing playoff teams in the Western Conference in 2020.