With the page turned on 2019, fringe NBA playoff contenders will soon be forced to decide whether to sell off assets and tank or enter the trade market as buyers to make a playoff push. The top seven teams in the Eastern Conference (Bucks, Celtics, Heat, Raptors, Pacers, Sixers and Nets) and top six in the Western Conference (Lakers, Nuggets, Clippers, Rockets, Jazz and Mavericks) should make the playoffs no matter what moves they make between now and the February 6 trade deadline. The bottom five in the league (Hawks, Knicks, Cavaliers, Wizards and Warriors) will almost certainly miss the playoffs and should be jockeying for draft position in the lottery. The other 12 teams will face the decision: Tank or not? UNDERACHIEVERS: Magic, Pistons, Spurs, Blazers With veteran-heavy rosters, these four teams entered the season expecting to make the playoffs. However, for a variety of reasons, they are well below .500 and in danger of missing the postseason. Is it time to cut bait with their best players? Or should
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