Dallas Mavericks: 5 stars they should’ve acquired over Kristaps Porzingis

Star Dallas Mavericks should have acquired over Kristaps Porzingis: 3. Jrue Holiday

The Pelicans decided to trade Holiday at the start of this season. It became a massive four-team deal that saw New Orleans nab four first-round picks. They want to build a contender around Zion Williams. The Pelicans figured they needed to get younger and add more talent to accomplish that goal.

Dallas would have been hungry to add talent around Luka Doncic if they had waited for his entire first two seasons. There is no question they would have made a competitive offer for Jrue Holiday. The 31-year-old is an above-average shooter and playmaker. He would be the Mavericks’ secondary creator. Holiday’s elite perimeter defense is the perfect complement in the backcourt to the Mavs’ 22-year-old superstar.

Would New Orleans trade Holiday to their division rival? It would have likely cost Dallas even more to acquire him. The Pelicans would not have been eager to face the talented guard four times every year and may have been reluctant to make the deal.

The Dallas Mavericks should have waited and taken a swing on Jrue Holiday over acquiring Kristaps Porzingis. They would need more pieces to be the elite offensive team the Mavericks are, but their defense would be significantly improved with Holiday. Dallas would be better overall and in the hunt for the title, assuming their front office made a few ancillary moves along the way.

Next: No. 2