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Ahead of the new season, NBA clubs are striving to bolster their rosters to tackle significant challenges. For some, this means acquiring new stars, while for others, it involves addressing specific positional issues. In this article, we will examine the ambitious yet realistic plans of five league teams to enhance their rosters in the upcoming offseason: Dallas, Denver, Clippers, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. These teams have had varying performances this season, but they remain contenders for the title. If you want to make your predictions for the champion or playoff series, you can do so with the bookmaker Mostbet Aze.
Even after the recent acquisitions, the "Mavs" do not appear to be a championship team and haven't even secured a playoff spot, currently holding the 7th seed in the West. Luka Dončić, leading the NBA in scoring (34.6 points) and usage percentage (36.0%), is playing at an MVP level, but "Dallas" still lacks 8.5 wins to clinch the top spot.
The team could clearly benefit from a third star. However, finding one with the existing assets will be challenging. By 2031, the club will have only one first-round pick available for trading. Instead, the "Mavericks" will have to use some of their young talents to form an attractive package. Dončić and Irving are a good foundation, but a third star player is needed for a complete roster, especially if the newcomer Lively fails to fill that role.
It was expected that Zeke Nnaji's role would increase this season after signing a new 4-year contract worth $32 million. However, the 23-year-old player has seen his playing time reduced to 9.8 minutes per game. If the "Denver" wants to strengthen its bench with a reliable veteran, Nnaji's contract is the most suitable for trading given the reluctance to part with any of the starters. The "Nuggets" could trade their 2024 1st-round pick, combining Nnaji's and Reggie Jackson's contracts (player option for $5.3 million), to get around $14 million for a new deal.
Denver is limited in trading assets – their 1st-round picks will be involved in 2025, 2027, and 2029, so the dreams should be realistic.
The recent months have been tough for PJ Tucker after his trade to the "Clippers." The 38-year-old veteran openly expressed dissatisfaction in Los Angeles and was even fined $75,000 by the league for demanding a trade after being excluded from the rotation. Tucker clearly does not fit into the team's long-term plans, but he is unlikely to decline his $11.5 million player option for the next season. The "Clippers" should accept this and try to use the expiring contract as salary compensation in a potential trade.
In the summer, the club can trade its 2030 or 2031 1st-round pick. It's worth considering what can be expected by combining this pick with Tucker's contract.
As with "Cleveland," trading for a star from "Utah" limited the "Wolves'" trading options. But the situation will change during the draft – "Minnesota" can offer its 2024 1st-round pick, as well as the 2031 pick, which will be available for trading. Currently, the club owns the 27th and 36th picks in the upcoming draft.
The playoffs will show which positions need strengthening. After all, anything but the Western Conference Finals (if Towns is healthy) will be a disappointment for a team that has been competing for the top spots throughout the season.
Considering that "Utah" still cannot use 1st-round picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029 due to the Gobert trade, this is a chance for the "Wolves" to further strengthen their roster.
The "Thunder" likely need one or two players in the starting lineup to become a championship team. The key task will be to find a suitable partner for Chet Holmgren in the frontcourt – this will determine the club's chances of winning the title in the next decade. OKC still struggles against larger and more physically imposing opponents, which will be especially evident in the playoffs. "Thunder" ranks only 28th in the league in rebounds on both offense and defense, with Holmgren leading at 7.8 rebounds.
It's crucial to strengthen the center position with a more powerful yet space-friendly player than the current starting lineup with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Finding trading assets won't be difficult for OKC – perhaps the only franchise capable of forming a genuinely competitive offer for almost any league star.
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