Dallas Mavericks: 5 free agents to replace Michael Kidd-Gilchrist if he leaves

Free agent replacement for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on Dallas Mavericks: 2. Justin Holiday

There are better-suited replacements for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist than the first three players mentioned, but they will cost Dallas more than a minimum contract. The Mavs would have to use part or all of their mid-level exception to acquire the 3-and-D wing/forward they need. Expect them to make that move this offseason.

One such fit is Justin Holiday. The 6’6 wing averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 25.0 minutes per game this season for the Pacers. That role expanded to 32.8 minutes per game in Indiana’s first-round playoff series against the Heat.

Holiday is an outstanding 3-and-D option. He finished tied for 27th in FiveThirtyEight’s defensive RAPTOR and shot 40.5 percent from 3-point range this season. The fit in Dallas would be fantastic. Holiday is not a player that commands the ball or hunts shots. He plays his role and creates havoc on the defensive end.

Signing Justin Holiday could allow Dallas to split their mid-level exception between multiple players. The 31-year-old made just under $4.8 million this season which is roughly half the MLE. If the Mavericks can get two rotation pieces this offseason, they will take another step forward in 2021.

Next: No. 1