ESPN analyst and former NBA general manager Bobby Marks recently appeared on NBC Sports Boston's "Celtics Talk" podcast.
There, he highlighted two teams when considering potential landing spots if the Celtics trade Jrue Holiday.
"I think both teams you mentioned are interesting to me with Dallas and the Clips," stated Marks. "They're interesting to me because they have two players who have player options with Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
"What happens with both those players, I think, will play a significant role as far as what the flexibility that the Clips will have and Dallas will have. Those will probably be the two teams that I would probably circle as far as if there's a Jrue potential deal to be."
What might a deal with the Mavericks look like?
The Celtics don't want to part with Holiday. Unfortunately, the consequences of the second apron and spending multiple years over it make it prudent to get under that threshold. Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear compounds that. His injury is another significant reason to prioritize long-term flexibility.
Holiday, who recently turned 35, is on the books for $32.4 million next season. He has $104.4 million remaining on his contract. It lasts through 2027-28. The final year of his deal is a player option worth $37.2 million.
While Boston [the organization and fan base] loves the player, moving his contract is practical. If that happens, the Dallas Mavericks are a match as trade partners.
Where it gets tricky is they may and likely will have to rope in a third team. The Brooklyn Nets, the rare team with cap space, are an ideal candidate. Perhaps draft capital could entice them to acquire a combination like Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell.
There's a chance Brooklyn trades center Nic Claxton this summer. Depending on the return, that could increase their appetite for adding Gafford.
As for what the Celtics could get for sending Holiday to the Mavericks, the answer's most likely P.J. Washington. The six-year veteran averaged 13.2 points and knocked down 38.6 percent of the 4.2 threes he hoisted this season. He also grabbed 7.8 rebounds, swiped 1.1 steals, and swatted 1.1 shots.
As a stretch-four who offers defensive versatility and meaningful contributions on the glass, Washington is an enticing potential addition. He turns 27 in August, reflecting a player in the initial stages of his athletic prime.
Washington's contract expires after the 2025-26 campaign. Getting under the second apron by the end of the upcoming league year would make it easier for Boston to re-sign him should it have that desire.
What might a trade with the Clippers look like?
The Celtics would trim $18.2 million off their payroll in the deal outlined above. An arrangement sending Holiday to the Los Angeles Clippers may provide far less financial savings.
For instance, if the construction consists of Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, and Drew Eubanks for Holiday, Boston sheds $6.2 million off its books.
Perhaps this would also morph into a deal involving more than two teams. That could allow the Celtics to absorb less salary. However, that could cost them draft capital.
What's clear is a deal with the Clippers or Mavericks is possible. While this author anticipates Harden and Irving remain with their respective teams, as Marks noted, either one relocating bodes well for Boston finding a suitor for Holiday.
Marks also shared a perspective that the Celtics would love to prove prescient.
"I still think Jrue is a heck of a player. I don't think you have to attach a pick to his contract," said Marks.
Boston trading Holiday would be bittersweet. But if the franchise checks multiple boxes between shedding salary, adding at least one positive contributor, and preserving draft capital, it will cushion the blow.
