The Mavericks are expected to target Jrue Holiday

Free agency does not start for several more weeks, but rumors are beginning to swirl. This morning ESPN staff writer Ian Begley reported the Mavericks are interested in 26-year old point guard Jrue Holiday, who will be an unrestricted free agent in July. Begley mentions the Pelicans (Holiday’s current team) and the Knicks as other teams having interest.

Mark Cuban has publicly stated the team will be looking for a pass first point guard this off season via the draft or free agency.

“We’ll have depth, but we have to get that one pass-first point guard,” Cuban told the Dallas Morning News. “That’s what we don’t have”.

Yogi Ferrell and J.J. Barea are the current true point guards on the roster, but Jrue Holdiay would represent a significant upgrade. Holiday averaged 15.4 points, 7.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 67 games this season. He shot 45 percent from inside the arc and 35 percent from three.

Outside of Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry, Holiday will arguably be the best point guard on the market, which means he will command a hefty price tag. If the Mavericks retain Nerlens Noel, the front office will have to shed salary to stay competitive with other suitors, namely the incumbent New Orleans Pelicans who can offer more money and years.

A one-time all-star, Holiday, when healthy, would provide both youth and savvy to a Mavericks team in a half-hearted rebuild.