Return or Burn: Which free agents should the Dallas Mavericks bring back?

Should the Dallas Mavericks re-sign Justin Holiday in free agency?

The Mavs added Justin Holiday via the buyout market, and he immediately jumped into the rotation. Dallas needs defense and shot-making, and the 6’6 veteran provides just that. He is a career 36.5 percent 3-point shooter that can guard multiple positions. Holiday does not need the ball and gives the team a veteran presence in the locker room.

Buyout players rarely stick with the team that signs them beyond that season. Holiday signed a three-year $18 million contract in 2020, and he will be searching for more than the minimum as an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Mavs have non-Bird Rights on the veteran wing, so they can give him a 120 percent raise over the minimum or use one of their exceptions to re-sign him.

Verdict: Return

Justin Holiday fills a need in Dallas, and he will continue to play 15 to 25 minutes per game. The Dallas Mavericks plan on upgrading on the wings, but they need multiple options. Having Holiday in the second unit give head coach Jason Kidd a change of pace whenever the situation arises.

The Mavs would love to keep Holiday on a minimum contract, but it may take their bi-annual exception to re-sign him. Still, Dallas is unlikely to find a better option at that price, and the veteran will have familiarity playing off Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.