4 Types of players the Mavericks could trade for that would make them contenders

The Dallas Mavericks have dealt with a flurry of injury woes recently and it was only amplified last night when Grant Williams and Dereck Lively II both suffered ankle injuries in the Mavericks' victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Dallas is currently 20-15, but they have potential to go on a big run to improve their seeding positioning in the Western Conference if they can improve their roster ahead of the trade deadline.

4 Types of players the Mavericks could trade for that would make them contenders

Dallas has a myriad of different areas that they need to address if they hope to contend for a championship come playoff time, but which of these positions do the Mavericks need to improve the most?

Here are four types of players the Mavericks could trade for that would thrust them into contenders this season.

4. Backup power forward

The Dallas Mavericks have sorely missed the presence of Maxi Kleber this season as he's been sidelined with a toe injury since the beginning of November. Dallas has consequentially not been able to play as many small-ball lineups because of Kleber's absence, as they don't have any other big-men on the roster capable of stretching the floor on offense.

Dallas could certainly use another player of Kleber's skillset in their lineup, as Dallas needs multiple types of bigs to deploy at any moment when you take into consideration the big-man depth of some of their Western Conference opponents.

Rookie Dereck Lively II has been riddled with ankle injuries recently and despite how good he's been when fully healthy, the 19-year-old still has a long ways to go before becoming the All-Star level rim protector that Dallas has long coveted for. For the time being the Mavericks may need to take the bullpen approach when it comes to the power forward/center spot until Lively II reaches that level, but almost all of their backup bigs have had little impact this season unfortunately.

Dallas may seek to address these concerns by adding another big-man via trade, as they've been rumored to be interested in a variety of big-men ahead of the NBA's February 8 trade deadline. Perhaps Dallas will seek a player that fits more of the modern day power-forward mold compared to a traditional rim roller and rim protector, as they already have that to an extent in Lively II.

Most power forwards in the NBA can shoot nowadays and finding one who can also play stout interior defense would be a huge win for the Mavericks, but it certainly won't be an easy task as Dallas may have to part with some assets to get one.