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USA TODAY Sports

Championship-chasing NBA teams need help too.

Most of the time devoted to trade speculation is spent on floundering and fringe squads that need significant upgrades in order to take the next required step. Contenders are secondary to less fortunate franchises. But even title-seekers need assistance and midseason improvements.

These roster tweaks are usually slight. Blockbuster trades are few and far between for successful contingents. Futzing around with a winning formula is inherently dangerous, and significant additions only threaten chemistry. Good teams also tend to be light on expendable assets worthy of facilitating said blockbuster deals.

Marginal additions are more realistic, and it's our job to identify one such additive for each of the Association's title contenders.

Title contenders means title contenders, by the way. Focus will lie solely on teams capable of winning their respective conference. This method not only adds an air of exclusivity, but it ensures the (almost) contender-barren East doesn't feel left out.

This also means we'll have to offer our condolences to fringe contenders such as the Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards (they miss Trevor Ariza) and New Orleans Pelicans. Sorry, guys. Maybe next year. Or, knowing how turbulent the NBA is these days, maybe next month.

For now, it's all about finding feasible trade targets who can help the best of the best become the best-est.

*Trades will be vetted by ESPN Trade Machine whenever possible. Note that players signed over the offseason cannot be officially dealt until Dec. 15.