Could this be the year that the Washington Mystics get over the hump?

That’s been the big question facing the franchise in almost every year of its existence, considering that they’ve advanced past the first round of the WNBA playoffs just once (2002) in 17 years.

The talent is there for another playoff appearance — which would be their third straight and 10th overall — but the Mystics need several pieces to fall into place to grow into a true contender.

Here’s what to watch for in Washington this season:

The gang’s all here

It was a wild offseason almost anywhere on the WNBA map. But in Washington, it was business as usual.

Rather than making any splashy moves following a 16-18 season that ended with a playoff loss to the Indiana Fever, the Mystics opted for the status quo, making just one minor trade (Quanitra Hollingsworth to Seattle) while letting veteran Monique Currie leave for Phoenix in free agency.

They will rely on internal growth and continuity to outshine any additions their Eastern Conference rivals made since the end of 2014.

All for one

The same debate that rages on in NBA circles about the Atlanta Hawks is being applied to the Mystics heading into 2015.

Can an all-around team approach trump star power?

The formula worked for Washington on the defensive end last season, where the team finished with the third best Defensive Rating in the league (98.6 points allowed per 100 possessions), per Basketball-Reference.com. But head coach Mike Thibault, the WNBA’s all-time winningest coach, will have to figure out a way to rev up an offense that ranked 8th in the league.

Inside-out duo

Just because the Mystics spread the wealth on offense doesn’t mean they lack players who can carry the load.

Point guard Ivory Latta has been an All-Star each of the last two seasons, emerging as an elite deep threat who made a league-leading 81 threes a year ago. Belgian center Emma Meesseman broke out to the tune of 10.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and, at just 22, may have plenty of room for growth into one of the league’s top post players.

At best, Meesseman could join Latta as an All-Star. At worst, she was an excellent find in the second round of the draft two years ago.

Counting on Hill

In the absence of major free agent signings, Washington’s de facto offseason acquisition will be guard Tayler Hill, who missed almost all of last season following the birth of her first child.

The 24-year-old has the talent to bring a new dimension to a team in need of shooters alongside Latta and another defender on the wing. Just two years ago, Hill was the No. 4 pick in the WNBA Draft after the historic trio of Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins.

Duo of the future

Internal improvements can also come from the one-two punch the Mystics brought in from UConn last year. Guard Bria Hartley and forward Stefanie Dolson, the No. 6 and 7 picks in the 2014 WNBA Draft, each contributed during their rookie seasons and will look to take the next step as sophomores.

Washington added sweet-shooting forward Ally Malott from the University of Dayton with the No. 8 pick in the draft, and she could help round out a versatile bench crew led by 12-year vet Kara Lawson.