Are the Dallas Mavericks contenders or pretenders?

The Mavs came into the new season with renewed hope as they finally have a full season of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving whom they acquired in the latter half of the 2022-2023 season.

Unfortunately, Irving had to miss some games in the past week after stepping on the foot of teammate Dwight Powell.

They sit in third to fifth spot of the Western Conference wings as Doncic continues to keep them afloat with the help of new acquisitions Dereck Lively II, Grant Williams, and Derrick Jones Jr.

However, they continue to lose games against supposed contenders including Western Conference opponents Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Clippers.

They are yet to play Eastern Conference giants Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers.

This is why the next trade window will be huge for coach Jason Kidd's squad.

Each part of the roster can improve.

Top 3 trades the team should prioritize to become a legit contender this 2023-2024 season:

1. Reliable big man

Lively sure is a great supporting cast for Doncic as the latter finds a great receiver for his lobs and pick-and-roll partner. However, the rookie often times finds himself inefficient. Unplayable. Defense remains a suspect for the team, which currently ranks 23rd in rebounding and 24th in defensive rating.

The Mavs should target Clint Capela, which has been in constant trade rumors since the 2023 off-season.

Capela can come in as a starter or backup to Lively. He has been Trae Young's lob partner and that should make his job easy playing alongside Doncic. He has good hands under the rim and is a great defender on the rim.

Danil Gafford should also be a good target but will only be possible if Mavs make a good offer.

2. Defensive-minded wing

The Mavs should try to reunite with Dorian Finney-Smith. His familiarity with Doncic's style is important.

Finney-Smith was traded to the Nets to get Irving and now, NBA trade rumors suggest the Mavs want him back.

"Finney-Smith has previously drawn interest from several playoff-caliber teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Memphis Grizzlies (before several injuries changed their trajectory this season), among other teams," wrote Michael Soto of Hoop Hype.

The veteran wingman will be a huge upgrade for rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper who may have the assets to become a great wing defender but still lacks the experience to prosper come playoff time.

Finney-Smith's current season is better than what he produced during his time with the Mavs. He currently averages 10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 17 games while shooting 44.1 percent from three.

3. Sniper Luka can pass to

Finney-Smith's 3-point shooting is improving but if the Mavs want an instant reinforcement that can light up the rainbow country, Bojan Bogdanovic should be considered.

The Pistons will not ask that much for him and although he is turning 35 years old by April next year, he is still a reliable sniper. Last season, he put up a career-best 21.6 points per game in 59 games. He is also a reliable playoff performer, averaging 18 ppg for the Utah Jazz from 2021 to 2022.