If the Boston Celtics send Jrue Holiday to the Dallas Mavericks in a trade, they need to make sure to get PJ Washington back in return. The Mavs would likely have to send out two of Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford (plus Caleb Martin or Naji Marshall) in a deal to match Holiday’s money, and Boston should be locked in on Washington.
Washington was a key piece of the Mavs’ 2024 Finals run when they lost to the Celtics in the championship, and he fits in very well with how the Celtics like to play on both ends of the court.
Getting him back in a deal would be amazing.
**What could a potential trade look like?**
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[Marc Stein of The Stein Line](https://substack.com/redirect/1a3cacbb-c4a3-4c93-b289-2477f7d2a963?j=eyJ1IjoicXR0M3UifQ.zdXwOcfeIB1-QugZtPoeP01CZwZE9P3sOl7k18zjYw0) noted that the Mavs may be [interested in adding](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celtics-jrue-holiday-trade-rumors-dallas-mavericks-marc-stein-new-partner-offseason-chaos-kristaps-porzingis-cap-space) Holiday this summer. They already have Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg (if/when they draft him), and Kyrie Irving (post-injury) in place, so adding a high-level, defensive-minded guard makes a ton of sense if they want to compete in the Western Conference.
However, if they want to make the money work (Holiday will make $32.4 million next season), the Mavs will have to give up some big salaries.
Here is an outline of a potential trade that would see Washington end up in Boston:
**Celtics receive:** PJ Washington
**Mavs receive:** Jrue Holiday
**Nets receive:** Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin, Two second-round picks (via BOS)
Getting the Nets involved in the deal would allow the Celtics to save even more money, and at the price of two second-round picks, it would be well worth it.
The real question would be, would the Mavs feel as though this price is worth it for Holiday?
**Why should the Celtics want PJ Washington?**
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In most mock Mavs trades, people want to see Gafford come to Boston. But Washington makes more sense.
Gafford is a quality player, and the Celtics are going to need center depth next season, but Washington is the far better player. And since both are on expiring deals, Boston should simply want to get the best guy possible in return.
Plus, Washington has shown the ability to spend some time playing the small-ball five. He’s a gritty, hustle-oriented defender with a big body, and perhaps most importantly, he’s proven very capable of knocking down three-balls in the right system.
That type of 3-and-D production at Washington’s size is perfect for the style of basketball the Celtics run under Joe Mazzulla. He would be a great fit next year, and moving forward, should Boston choose to extend him.
Snagging Washington over Gafford should be a clear choice for Boston in a potential Holiday deal with the Mavs.