Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm seeing/hearing more and more about this Dallas interest in Jrue Holiday. We've talked about it a lot already, but here's where I am:

I don't think he's done, and in some ways I think he's exactly what this team needs. He fits the mold of what we know Harrison likes. He's hugely respected across the league and would be a good get in the locker room, that's for sure. The age doesn't scare me so much, but is a negative. The contract is pretty concerning. I really wouldn't want to give up a pick or picks for him, but I'm not sure they'd have to.

I'm sure this has been covered already, so forgive me, but it seems like the contract would force Dallas to include players that it would hurt to lose. What is the least objectionable package the Mavs could put together that would satisfy the rules of legal trades? I think Gafford would be in the deal for sure, and then it would have to include either PJW or Thompson, correct?

Above the first apron, you have to send more than you take.  Jrue is $32.4mm, so that is the number you need to get to.  I'm opposed to Gafford plus PJ.  I'm OK with, but doubt it would be Gafford + Klay.  If you take those off the table, then you get to within $2.4mm of what you need with Gafford, Martin and Hardy.  So, you just have to add OMax or Powell.

However, you have to stay below apron 2 to aggregate like this.  So, you have to do the math on what you have left once you refill the roster since this is a 4 for 1.  This is where Kyrie comes into the picture.  You can put Jrue in place of Gafford and minimums in place of Martin, Hardy and OMax and a second rounder in the 15th slot if Kyrie comes in at about $37.7mm.  Then it is a matter of how far below the 2nd apron you want to be.  If $700k, then Kyrie starts at $37.0mm (Or, Powell is outgoing instead of OMax or Christie is outgoing instead of Hardy).  

This is why almost every post I do has some version of wanting to know Kyrie's number because almost everything we discuss is dependent on that number.  Thankfully, the reporting is that he's working with the team.  So, what we need to hear is he's opted out and they've agreed to a number with some flexibility depending on team needs.