Mavericks Reportedly Exploring Pathway To Land Multi-Time All-Star

Forbes

2 days ago

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The Dallas Mavericks voluntarily kick-started one of the most topsy-turvy months-long roller coaster rides in NBA history. They discretely dealt beloved franchise star Luka Doncic to a hated rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.
The backlash was unlike anything Rick Welts has seen in the Mavericks CEO and Hall of Fame executive's over 50 years of working in professional basketball.
But then came another improbability: Dallas defied the odds at the NBA draft lottery, overcoming a 1.8 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick. By moving up a record-setting 10 spots, the organization is now in a position to bring in a new face of the franchise, generational prospect Cooper Flagg.
"I don't think there's ever been quite a reversal of fortune in our league as happened that night," said Welts at The Wall Street Journal's "The Future of Everything" event at The Glasshouse in New York City on Wednesday.
Adding a potential superstar who doesn't turn 19 until December on a rookie contract could keep the Mavericks competitive into the foreseeable future. But with Flagg's ability to make an immediate impact and a roster with stars in Anthony Davis, 32, and Kyrie Irving, 33, Dallas is also looking to strike now.
According to Marc Stein on the NBA insider's Substack, The Stein Line, Dallas is pondering if there's a pathway to bringing Jrue Holiday aboard this summer.
"League sources say Dallas is expected to at least explore whether there are any feasible trade pathways to Boston's Jrue Holiday — complicated as that would likely be given the three years and $104 million still left on Holiday's contract."
The 15-year veteran averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals this season. Upon the campaign's conclusion, he expressed his desire to remain with the Celtics.
"I think we still have a really, really great opportunity and a great window to be successful and win a championship again," voiced Holiday at exit interviews. "I think the talent that we have on this team, not only on the court but the coaching staff, all the way up to [Celtics president of basketball operations]
Brad [Stevens], has been amazing. The opportunity to win is now, and I still want to be a part of it."
However, Jayson Tatum's franchise-altering injury may force Boston's hand. The Celtics might spend this summer getting under the second apron to create more financial and roster flexibility long term.
As of now, the 2023-24 NBA champions, who have spent the last couple of seasons over the second apron, do not have access to the taxpayer mid-level exception, a valuable tool that could've helped them remain competitive without Tatum.
They can only trade the 28th overall selection in this year's draft, plus one of their first-round choices in 2026 or 2027, and a 2030 pick swap. They've parted with their 2028 and 2029 first-round draft capital. They cannot trade their 2031 pick since their 2032 first-round selection is frozen.
There are also steep financial repercussions for the franchise's exorbitant payroll in recent years.
For instance, even if Boston gets under the second apron this summer, the Celtics will have to pay approximately $5.5 for every dollar spent at their repeater rate. That means Sam Hauser's team-friendly $10 million salary for the upcoming season effectively escalates to $55 million.
So, while the organization's preference is likely to keep Holiday, he's on the books for $32.4 million for the 2025-26 campaign. The two-time NBA champion turns 35 in June. With the Celtics' championship hopes deflated by Tatum's injury, there's a ripe opportunity for a team like the Mavericks to acquire the two-way guard.
Holiday, a six-time All-Defensive team selection, would help a team in need at that end. He'd also give them another ball handler, helping Dallas navigate the time Irving misses while rehabbing from a torn ACL.
The cost of adding a decorated player who's a valuable voice in the locker room and brings emotional stability with his even-keeled approach on the court, could entail a package along the lines of center Daniel Gafford going to Boston while a third party receives a player like forward P.J. Washington and Dwight Powell. That team, likely one with cap space, like the Brooklyn Nets or Detroit Pistons, would also figure to add draft capital for taking on those contracts.
It's an illustration of how the Celtics could be in store for a dramatic roster makeover this summer. That figures to benefit multiple teams. Perhaps none more than the Mavericks if they pull off a trade for Holiday.