5 Trade deadline moves that would boost Mavericks, 5 they must avoid

8. Boost: Upgrading at backup center

One of the Dallas Mavericks' weakest links this season has been backup center.

When Dereck Lively II is on the bench, the Mavs have little to no rim protection, and Dwight Powell and Richaun Holmes have not been great this season. Holmes has pretty much been removed from the rotation entirely, and Powell hasn't made much of an impact either.

Maxi Kleber is coming off an impressive defensive game against the Phoenix Suns, but he doesn't seem to be the answer as the backup five either. Dallas needs someone who plays with physicality, protects the rim, and rebounds, but finding a player who can do that isn't easy.

Dallas has been linked to Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons earlier this season, but there haven't been any other rumors that link the Mavs to pursuing a different backup center.

The Mavs can't rely on Lively II to provide all of the rim protection, and Dallas also has to take into consideration that he has had multiple ankle sprains this season. If he is someone who can't stay healthy in the future, having a backup big who can occasionally play starter minutes is important.

Just like the need for a backup facilitator, this seems like a need that could get overlooked due to the front office's focus on adding a forward with size.