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2025 NBA playoff X-factors: Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels and underrated contributors who can swing a game

Every summer, when teams are trying to upgrade their rosters, one filter is often used: Can this guy help us swing a playoff game?

Because let's be honest. If you're working with exceptions, or even minimum deals, it's just not likely you find a player who can catapult your franchise from expected play-in candidate to championship favorite.

As such, the question is often boiled down to whether a specific player has the ability to rise to the occasion and help win a game in the postseason. After all, one playoff win is 25% of the mission to move on to the next round.