Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks checking in at No. 1 is an absolute no-brainer. The Mavs, through the first third of the season, have vastly overachieved. Even though the team has lost two of its last three games, after the Luka Doncic injury, the Mavs are still in the top 5 of the Western Conference standings and are only going to get better as Kristaps Porzingis grows more comfortable in the offense.
Doncic should return after the Christmas break, and this team should be able to pick up where it left off. Although, if the Mavs are serious about potentially playing spoiler in the playoffs this season, adding a player like Jrue Holiday could be the first step in doing so.
Holiday would be a seamless addition to the team’s backcourt and, due to his ability on the defensive end, would be able to play in some three-guard lineups alongside Doncic and Tim Hardaway Jr., if Rick Carlisle elected to go that route.
The Mavs are a real threat in the West as is, adding a player like Holiday would only hammer down them as a playoff contender.