The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly eyeing a bold move this offseason, as they are “expected to explore” trade scenarios for Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, according to veteran insider Marc Stein.
With Kyrie Irving recovering from ACL surgery and set to miss a significant portion of the 2025–26 season, the Mavericks are in urgent need of a reliable ball-handler and defensive anchor.
Holiday, a two-time champion and one of the league’s most respected perimeter defenders, would be a near-ideal stopgap and long-term partner next to Irving once he returns.
Holiday’s potential arrival in Dallas also raises the possibility of a reunion with Anthony Davis, his former teammate from their New Orleans Pelicans days. The pair played together from 2016 to 2019, developing strong chemistry and leading the Pelicans to a memorable playoff sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers in 2018.
Their synergy, combining Holiday’s on-ball tenacity with Davis’ elite rim protection, made New Orleans a defensive juggernaut. Reuniting them in Dallas could form the backbone of one of the NBA’s most formidable defensive units.
However, acquiring Holiday won’t be straightforward. He’s under contract for three more seasons at a total of $104 million, a steep price tag for any team, let alone one already navigating the complexities of the second apron.
Boston, too, is facing significant cap concerns with Jayson Tatum’s max extension kicking in soon and several other big contracts already on the books.
With Tatum sidelined for all of next season due to an Achilles tear, the Celtics may view this as the right time to reset financially, especially if they can offload Holiday without taking back long-term salary.
For Dallas, this is where things get tricky. The Mavericks are expected to sign Cooper Flagg to the No. 1 overall pick’s rookie deal, adding $13.8 million to their cap sheet. They’ll also need to account for Davis’ max salary and Irving’s potential new contract.
A deal involving Jrue Holiday would likely require the Mavericks to send out expiring contracts, such as Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell, and perhaps a young asset like Jaden Hardy or Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Even then, matching salaries under the second apron rules is a difficult needle to thread.
Despite the financial hurdles, the fit is obvious. Holiday brings exactly what Dallas lacks: defensive versatility, playmaking, leadership, and championship experience. His ability to play both on and off the ball makes him the perfect bridge until Irving returns, and a capable partner once he does.
More importantly, he won’t interfere with the development of Flagg, who is expected to carry a significant role in his rookie year.
If the Mavericks manage to pair Jrue Holiday with Anthony Davis again while surrounding them with young talent and complementary veterans, they could emerge as a legitimate Western Conference threat.
The only question is whether Boston will be willing to play ball and if Dallas is ready to pay the price. But for a franchise that already went all-in by trading Luka Doncic, this could be the next logical and necessary step.
