How the Dallas Mavericks can take advantage of Lakers' disaster

After 35 games, the Dallas Mavericks are sitting at 20-15. They have surpassed everyone's preseason expectations, and Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have taken their play as a duo to the next level.

On Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers, Irving dominated offensively as he finished with 29 points. Doncic finished with 41 points in this game, continuously showing that he deserves to be an NBA MVP frontrunner.

Despite Dallas playing at a high level, they still need to make at least one trade to make an NBA Finals push. Dallas has been in trade rumors for Pascal Siakam and Isaiah Stewart, and it's clear they want to upgrade at power forward.

How the Dallas Mavericks can take advantage of Lakers' disaster

Despite being interested in the two aforementioned players, Dallas could get involved with a trade with the struggling Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are 17-18 on the season, and there is reportedly a "deepening disconnect between Darvin Ham and the Lakers locker room," (subscription required) according to Shams Charnania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

With this disconnect, it could lead the Lakers to trade someone if they don't move on from Darvin Ham this season. No one wants to play for a coach they don't like, and this could lead to some massive moves in Los Angeles.

That's where the Mavericks step in.

Dallas could make a move for someone like Jarred Vanderbilt (this summer since he has a trade restriction), Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, or Jaxson Hayes. Dallas needs frontcourt help, and each of these players would help the Mavs in this area and play significant minutes for this team.

Vanderbilt is obviously someone who would fit great in Dallas, but landing him would not be easy and this move couldn't happen until the offseason. This season for the Lakers, Vanderbilt is averaging 2.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game. He has had a down year in Los Angeles, but he would be welcomed in Dallas with open arms.

He is an extremely versatile defender who can play either forward spot. Vanderbilt also works hard on the glass, making him someone who would likely play heavy minutes in Dallas.

Someone like Reddish or Prince would also be nice additions, and unlike Vanderbilt, they could be traded for this season. Both players have started over 20 games this season and would help with the Mavs' need for more wing depth.

Prince is likely the more attractive asset of the two, but Reddish would be a solid pickup as well.

Hayes would help Dallas if they look to acquire a backup center, but he isn't as flashy of a piece as any of the previously mentioned players.

It is unclear what the Lakers will do at the trade deadline, but things are clearly not going smoothly. If these rumors about Darvin Ham intensify, then it would not be a shock if the Lakers make some moves at the trade deadline.

For all the latest news and rumors on the Dallas Mavericks heading into the trade deadline, stay tuned.