If the playoffs started today, the Dallas Mavericks would be the No. 4 seed and hosting a playoff series. This seems almost improbable when you think back at how this season started for Rick Carlisle's team losing three in a row and four out of five. Now sitting at 21-13 and a roster that's finally getting healthy, the defending champions are finally rounding into form.
However, with the losses of Tyson Chandler and DeShawn Stevenson and the additions of Vince Carter and Lamar Odom, one has to ask if this team is properly built to make another title run. Many have speculated that Dallas is using 2012 as a holding pattern year, and with the free cap space they'll receive at the end of the season, they'll be able to bring in one or two marquee free agents.
But that's looking ahead, as the Mavs can only focus on the right now. Some have speculated that Rodrigue Beaubois is available, but the Mavs don't seem eager to move him. Are there any alternatives for the Mavs, or is this the best Mark Cuban's team will have to offer going into the backstretch of the season?
Here are the complete Western conference standings going into the second half of the season.
For the latest NBA trade rumors out of Dallas, head over to Mavs Moneyball.