The Boston Celtics find themselves in a tough salary cap predicament this offseason. To escape what some call “salary cap jail” and dip below the NBA’s second apron of the luxury tax, the team needs to shed at least $20 million in salary. This is no small feat and likely means trading away a core rotation player — and Jrue Holiday has emerged as one of the key candidates on the trading block.
Holiday, a veteran guard known for his exceptional shooting, lockdown defense, and steady leadership, is currently under contract to make $32.4 million next season. He is in the second year of a four-year deal worth $134.4 million. For a team looking to cut salary and create flexibility, moving Holiday could provide significant financial relief. It would also open the door for younger talent like Payton Pritchard, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, to take on a bigger role in the Celtics’ backcourt.
Rumors of Holiday’s potential departure have already sparked interest around the league. One team that appears intrigued is the Dallas Mavericks. NBA reporter Marc Stein reported that the Mavericks are “expected to at least explore whether there are any feasible trade pathways” to acquire Holiday. However, such a deal would be complicated, largely because of the three years and approximately $104 million remaining on Holiday’s contract.
Stein noted that Dallas might find Charlotte Hornets point guard Lonzo Ball to be a “far more reasonable” target. Still, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has shown he values defense highly—he famously traded away generational talent Luka Doncic on that very principle. Given that Holiday is a two-time NBA champion and six-time All-Defense team member, he fits perfectly into Harrison’s vision of a defense-first roster. This makes Holiday a very attractive, if challenging, option for Dallas.
One trade scenario, proposed by Celtics insider Chris Forsberg, suggests a three-team deal to make the numbers work. In this proposal, Dallas would send Daniel Gafford (with a $14.4 million salary for the 2025-26 season) and P.J. Washington ($14.2 million) to balance salaries. Meanwhile, a third team—possibly Brooklyn with its cap space or Atlanta with its large trade exceptions—would take on Washington’s contract in exchange for draft assets from both Boston and Dallas.
From the Mavericks’ perspective, Gafford might be less essential since they already have big men Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II ahead of him in the rotation. Additionally, Dallas is expected to add projected No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg, making Washington more expendable. Adding Holiday would give Dallas a ball-stopping guard to complement the offensive firepower of Kyrie Irving and align with Harrison’s defensive emphasis.
For Boston, losing Jrue Holiday would certainly sting. He is a vital part of their core on both ends of the floor. But with star forward Jayson Tatum facing a long recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon that will likely sideline him for most or all of the 2025-26 season, the Celtics may view this offseason as an opportunity for a “mini reset.” By trimming salary and giving younger players more responsibility, Boston hopes to remain a serious title contender when Tatum returns and the team is healthy for the 2026-27 season.
In this light, trading Holiday could be the pragmatic move the Celtics need to regain financial flexibility and maintain long-term competitiveness — even if it means parting ways with a beloved and proven veteran.