NBA Trade Proposal Sends Jrue Holiday To Mavericks, Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington To Celtics

One NBA analyst proposed that the Dallas Mavericks acquire Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics this summer. 

Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Mavericks, Celtics and Brooklyn Nets:

Boston Celtics Receive: Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington

Brooklyn Nets Receive: Dwight Powell (player option), 2026 second-round pick (most favorable of Minnesota, New Orleans, New York or Portland, via Boston)

Dallas Mavericks Receive: Jrue Holiday

The Celtics not only lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of this year’s playoffs, but Jayson Tatum could also miss all of next season recovering from his Achilles tear. 

Boston’s payroll will reach around $500 million if no changes are made this summer. 

“Tatum’s devastating Achilles injury stands to fast-track the Celtics’ inevitable cost-cutting in the face of the second apron. This trade wouldn’t get them out of it, but it would lay the groundwork for a bunch of different options,” Favale wrote. “Washington could help offset some of the Tatum minutes (positionally speaking). Gafford would be valuable big-man insurance with Al Horford entering free agency (and turning 39) and with Kristaps Porziņģis‘ questionable bill of health. 

“Both incoming Mavs are on expiring contracts. Boston could look at rerouting them as part of a larger plan to skirt the second apron or the tax entirely. Or it could try trimming salary in a Porziņģis trade. This package would give the Celtics a ton of options as they potentially enter a gap year.”

Holiday appeared in 62 games for the Celtics this season. He averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 44.3% from the field, 35.3% from beyond the arc and 90.9% from the free-throw line. 

A two-time champion, Holiday will make $32,400,000 next season. He turns 35 in June. 

“Dallas badly needs another ball-handler since Kyrie Irving’s ACL injury will keep him out through at least the start of 2026,” Favale wrote. “Holiday could run a good portion of the show until Irving returns without infringing upon developmental reps for likely No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. The Mavs would have no trouble playing all four of Flagg, Holiday, Irving and Anthony Davis together when they’re at full strength.”