Mavericks Receive: Jrue Holiday, Josh Hart
Pelicans Receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., Delon Wright, Justin Jackson, 2020 1st Round Pick, 2020 2nd Round Pick (via GSW)
It’s clear the Mavericks need to find an effective on-ball defender that can handle assignments with some of the NBA’s top perimeter playmakers. That’s where a player like Holiday would come into play while also providing ball handling on the other end to take alleviate some pressure from Luka Doncic.
It’s important to not discount the level of impact Hardaway Jr. was able to provide the Mavericks this season. He emerged as legitimately one of the most efficient spot-up shooters in the NBA while averaging 15.8 points in just a shade under 30 minutes per contest.
For the Pelicans, being able to add Hardaway Jr. would provide a needed boost in the perimeter shooting department. Meanwhile, Wright can provide a helpful impact as a part of New Orleans’ second-unit in a more prominent ball handling role.
Being able to add the Mavericks’ first round selection (No. 18 overall) along with a very early second-rounder adds some intrigue to this trade scenario for the Pelicans. New Orleans could even attempt to package both picks to move up a bit.
While many may prefer a talent like Bradley Beal, the Mavericks lack the necessary draft compensation and talent level in prospects to make that kind of a deal happen. Pursuing an option like Jrue Holiday would be simpler to be able to pull off.
