The 2023-24 NBA regular season has reached its halfway point, offering us a solid understanding of how teams will likely perform in the remainder of the season and the playoffs.
Some teams, such as the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets, perform well without significant changes. On the other hand, teams like the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards are hopeless cases and may consider becoming sellers as the trade deadline approaches.
The NBA's trade deadline is February 8 at 3 PM Eastern Time (ET).
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3 NBA playoff contenders who need to move at the trade deadline
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have demonstrated improved performance compared to the previous year, during which they failed to qualify even for the play-in tournament.
With the acquisitions of players like Grant Williams, Seth Curry, rookie Dereck Lively II, and others, they sit in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference, currently holding the sixth seed and boasting a record of 24-18.
Trade for Dorian Finney-Smith
Finney-Smith played a crucial role as a rotation player for the Mavericks from 2016 to 2023. However, he was part of the trade that sent him to the Nets during the Kyrie Irving deal. Brooklyn is now willing to unload him for draft assets.
The 6-foot-7 wing is the type of player that Dallas needs to elevate their ceiling. He embodies the 3-and-D archetype, capable of scoring when the offense faces stagnation and delivering exceptional lockdown defense.
Los Angeles Lakers
While the Lakers aren't exactly a playoff contender, currently holding the tenth spot in the Western Conference with an even 21-21 record, they are not far from being in the mix. Their defense has shown commendable performance, but their offense needs a spark.
Trade for Dejounte Murray
Murray could provide offensive firepower for the purple-and-gold squad, and he is not a slouch on the defensive end either. The 27-year-old may also come with a reasonable price tag compared to other options, making it feasible for the Lakers to explore a trade with Atlanta, given their available assets.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have experienced a somewhat average regular season, holding the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. While it's a well-known fact that the South Beach squad tends to elevate their performance in the postseason, there are noticeable concerns.
They have encountered issues regarding their offense, one of the league's least productive.
Trade for Zach LaVine
LaVine is an excellent offensive option for Miami, and despite his issues on the other side of the ball, the team's elite coaching staff may have something up on their sleeve.
If they were able to make Duncan Robinson a legit threat on the floor, then a two-time NBA All-Star will have no problems doing it, too.
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