Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Mavericks Trade Idea Pairs Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving With Perfect $135 Million Championship Veteran

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated May 27, 2025 1:04 PM ET

2025 has been a chaotic year for the Dallas Mavericks so far. General manager Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, Kyrie Irving tore his left ACL in March, the team missed the playoffs after making the NBA Finals last year and Jason Kidd's club won the draft lottery.

The Mavericks are widely expected to draft Duke's Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in this year's draft. The core of the roster will be Irving, Flagg, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson next season.

Irving could be out until January or February, so Dallas needs to acquire a point guard this summer via free agency or trade. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Mavericks "will be looking to add a capable starter this summer who can later transition into a complementary role once Irving has returned to active duty."

One NBA analyst believes Dallas should trade for Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday this offseason. Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed that the Mavericks trade PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Olivier Maxence-Prosper and a 2029 first-round pick to the Celtics for Holiday.

Holiday, who signed a four-year, $135 million extension with the Celtics in 2014, was teammates with Davis on the New Orleans Pelicans from 2013-14 to 2018-19. The veteran guard is a two-time NBA champion.

The Celtics may have to break up their core this offseason since their payroll would reach about $500 million if no changes are made.

Holiday averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in the 2024-25 regular season and 10.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists in the 2025 postseason in seven games against the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks.

Holiday will make $32.4 million next season. He has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics. The UCLA product has career averages of 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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