The Boston Celtics may have just found the perfect solution to one of the most expensive problems in the NBA. In a massive three-team trade proposal crafted by Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, Boston would save an eye-watering $230 million in salary and luxury tax commitments while still fielding a competitive roster for the 2025–26 season.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks gain stability at point guard amid Kyrie Irving’s injury uncertainty, and the Brooklyn Nets collect young talent and draft assets to continue their patient rebuild.
Trade Details:
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Jrue Holiday (via Celtics), $3 million trade exception (Olivier-Maxence Prosper)
Boston Celtics Receive: Daniel Gafford (via Mavericks), PJ Washington (via Mavericks), Drew Timme (via Nets), $32.4 million trade exception, $2.5 million trade exception, $2.4 million trade exception, $2.2 million trade exception
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Kristaps Porzingis (via Celtics), Dwight Powell (via Mavericks), Olivier-Maxence Prosper (via Mavericks), Xavier Tillman Sr. (via Celtics), Neemias Queta (via Celtics), 2026 protected First-Round pick (via Celtics), 2027 First-Round pick swap (via Celtics)
The Mavericks Get A Star Point Guard
With Kyrie Irving expected to miss a significant chunk of next season, the Mavericks urgently need guard reinforcements. Enter Jrue Holiday, one of the best perimeter defenders and most respected veterans in the NBA. Even if Irving returns to full strength later in the year, Holiday can shift to shooting guard or embrace a sixth-man role, much like he did in Boston.
The Mavericks recently acquired Anthony Davis in a blockbuster Luka Doncic deal, and they’re also expected to draft Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick. Holiday’s presence gives them a defensive anchor in the backcourt while preserving their ability to contend in the West.
The loss of Gafford and Washington stings, but with Davis and Flagg anchoring the frontcourt and options like Clint Capela available through the TMLE, Dallas can afford it.
The Celtics Can Save Over $230 Million In Luxury Taxes
The Celtics are facing a staggering $532 million total payroll including luxury taxes, and that’s before free-agent decisions on Al Horford and Luke Kornet. With Jayson Tatum likely out for the season due to a torn Achilles, there’s little incentive to pay a championship-level tax bill without their best player.
This deal allows Boston to remain competitive while slicing off enormous costs. Gafford and Washington bring Finals experience, and while they don’t offer the star power of Porzingis or Holiday, they’re affordable and reliable.
The trade exceptions provide flexibility, and moving Holiday and KP in one fell swoop is a massive relief on the books.
Boston keeps Jaylen Brown and a strong supporting cast. Even with Tatum out, this roster should be a 5-8 seed in the East. And once Tatum returns, they can reassess their cap sheet and potentially use their newfound flexibility to retool around their core.
The Nets Get Even More Picks And Rotation Players
Brooklyn is in full rebuild mode. They have cap space, but few free-agent targets worth overpaying. This trade lets them absorb salary and gain future picks while getting a look at multiple rotation players like Tillman, Queta, and Prosper.
Porzingis is the big question. He could be bought out, flipped at the deadline, or even retained if he fits into their long-term plans. The Nets also use this deal to move closer to the salary floor, a required minimum that all teams must hit.
Final Verdict
For Boston, it’s about survival and sustainability. For Dallas, it’s about covering for Kyrie and making a deep playoff push with a new core. For Brooklyn, it’s long-term building with zero pressure to win now.
This is the rare win-win-win deal that could shake up three conferences and save Boston nearly a quarter of a billion dollars.
