The Mavericks will explore a potential trade with the Celtics for Jrue Holiday as they look for someone to take over ball-handling duties while Kyrie Irving is injured, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack column (subscription required).
Stein admits that a deal for Holiday would be tricky given Dallas’ financial position and the fact that he has three years and $104MM left on his contract. Holiday is among the players Boston is reportedly considering moving to reduce next season’s payroll, so the Celtics won’t be looking to take back big contracts in return. A third or fourth team may have to get involved to make a trade feasible.
Irving suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on March 3. A report last month suggested that he might be able to return by January, but Dallas will need someone to serve as the lead guard until he fully recovers from surgery.
Stein cites Bulls guard Lonzo Ball as “a more reasonable trade target” for the Mavs. Ball signed a two-year, $20MM extension in February that includes a team option for the second season. It would be much easier for Dallas to fit Ball’s contract into its current salary structure, and he’s coming off a relatively healthy season after missing two and a half years with severe knee issues. At 27, Ball is seven years younger than Holiday and could turn into a better long-term investment.
League sources tell Stein that Chris Paul is another player to watch for the Mavericks. Even though he turned 40 earlier this month, Paul was able to appear in all 82 games with the Spurs and produced another productive season, averaging 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 28 minutes per night with .427/.377/.924 shooting splits.
Stein states that the year Paul spent tutoring Victor Wembanyama and his other young teammates was considered successful, but there’s “anticipation” that he might be changing teams again this summer. San Antonio traded for De’Aaron Fox in February and is expected to add Dylan Harper with the second pick in next month’s draft. With Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle also in the backcourt mix, there may not be enough minutes for Paul.
Stein expects plenty of interest around the league in Paul if he decides to move on.
Former ACC legends Chris Paul or Malcolm Brogdon would be sorta perfect for the Mavs. Esp Brogdon. He can play either guard position equally well. He’s versatile defensively as well. He’s a vet & a big pg which JKidd loves. Brogdon had a down yr shooting on a terrible Wizards team but surrounded by much better players he’ll be back around 40% from trey. He should be very affordable coming off his worst pro season & being a >30 pg. Plus he doesn’t have to be traded for like Zo or Jrue. He also has more left in the tank than Paul. Brogdon also seems like he could play well with Kyrie. And in the hopeful for Dallas) event that Jaden Hardy takes a step forward Brogdon would certainly be gracious in taking a backseat.
Only issue with brogdon is he has a tough injury history.
So does Kyrie, Klay, AD & most of the rest of the NBA. I mean injuries are part of the game. CPaul, Jrue & Zo all have tough injury histories. Bright side is they don’t really need Brogdon to play 82gms at 30mins/gm. Main reason they’re looking for a pg is bc they need depth behind their main guy who’s already hurt. Brogdon is healthy now & hopefully he (or whoever they get) can maintain until Kyrie returns. I don’t think Brogdon has anything regenerative. Tbh playing for tanking teams like Brogdon has done the past few yrs can be a cause of missing gms as well & this has def been the case with him along with his actual injuries.
Going from a tanking team to a winner does seem to do wonders for a player’s health and defense. :)
Smh it’s not the players fault. Tanking teams commonly sit healthy vets because they’re trying to lose. And guys are always gonna look better defensively when playing with other good defenders, that’s just how basketball goes.
Brogdon also probably comes cheap with the injury history. He is probably somewhere in the vet min to TPMLE range, although maybe he gets the full MLE from like WAS where they can look to trade him if hes healthy mid season.
Brogdon would be great for them.
I have Marcus Smart and Schroder penciled in for the Mavs already. Then trading the number 1 pick to the Wizards for Poole and scraps.
My suggestion ranking
Holiday
VanVleet
Smart
Trading Luka for damaged good AD has made Mavs a title contender
They will be able to find someone. Tre jones and tyus jones are also both free agents.
Pingpong ball is very strange
Pelicans trade AD, they get Zion, 1 overall pick
Mavs trade for AD, they get Flagg, 1 overall pick
Why would you trade Flagg for Poole? That is completely insane.
It is hard for the mavs to get there but doing it and keeping PJ should be the goal
And that’s coming from a Celtics fan
Nico will make the right call.
Rob pelinka, line one
Mavs don’t deserve Holiday.
Depends on how injuredKyrie is for the season. Do they feel he will be healed enough to make it back towards the end of next season or go for a player that will help them through the playoffs?
Let them get Brogdan.
Not a bad temporary fix that doesn’t cost them any players. Just don’t get Chris Paul he is done.
Who says no?
Trade idea
Lakers get Gafford and Washington
Celtics get Vanderbilt and Vincent AND 2 Lakers Firsts
Mavs get Holiday
Filler if needed
Then, Celtics dump Vanderbilt and Vincent AND 2 Firsts to Nets for a 2nd round pick
Lakers make out like bandits in that trade. Dallas would say no since they are only getting 1 player while losing 2 important parts. Also payroll doesn’t match. Boston doesn’t need more draft picks. Why would the nets want those players? Let me guess you area laker’s fan.
Flagg to Celtics
Make CP3 retire already, he stinks.
He still get players good shots. Can hit a open shot. Definitely gets targeted on defense but has a nice iq. He can be a nice backup pg for a team giving 15-20 mins a game situationally. He also helps young players quite a bit so mentoring a losing young team would be nice as well. I would love to have him back on the spurs as he is another coach on the team. They just keep getting great guard talent opportunities, if he came back as a third PG on the team i would be all for it.
Have you considered that I am sick of him though?
With Irving out most of the season or all of it. They are going to need a lot more than 20 minutes a night from Paul.
Today an ACL is not a career killer. Players are back in 9 months. The adjustment to playing takes time. Brogdon or Holiday is a good choice for Mavs. They can hold it down till playoffs. Kyrie should be ready in time for playoffs. He should be back for end of season. Getting the #1 pick was god sent. They have to add a PG imo.
It’s not a career killer but doesn’t help when the player is pushing mid 30’s and doesn’t have the heart to play basketball.
If I’m Stevens Im going after Marshall, Gafford for Holiday. Checking in on Brooklyn, see if they’d like a shooter. Hauser coupled with a first to move up the board a little for one of Brooklyns firsts. Possibly draft that point from Florida.
Stevens will make the right move for the Celtics. Gafford Prosper for Jrue.
Celtics get: Gafford, Marshall, OMP
Mavs get: Holiday
Nets get: Hauser and Christie
A 40 year old or an injury prone player who has only played 70 games in the past 4 seasons with glass knees.