Hornets Would Require First-Round Pick to Take Mavs' Richaun Holmes in P.J. Washington Trade

Originally posted on FanNation Dallas Basketball
By Grant Afseth | Last updated 2/8/24

NEW YORK CITY — The Dallas Mavericks continue to be linked in trade rumors to P.J. Washington ahead of the February 8 deadline but have yet to agree on a deal with the Charlotte Hornets. The possibility remains something to monitor.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype , the Hornets would require an unprotected first-round pick to take on Richaun Holmes' contract in a deal for Washington. Another name that has come up in talks is Seth Curry.

"Charlotte and Dallas have discussed different concepts around Washington involving a potential first-round pick, league sources told HoopsHype," Scotto wrote. "Should Charlotte take on Richaun Holmes, the Hornets want an unprotected first-round pick from Dallas, which the Mavericks want to protect. Seth Curry has also come up in conversations."

Holmes is earning $12 million this season as someone who has consecutively failed to earn a spot in his team's rotation for multiple seasons and was traded to the Mavs as a tax to acquire the No. 24 overall pick, which became Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Holmes has a $12.9 million player option next season, making it a bad contract.

Scotto also reported that Grant Williams would not be a surprising name to surface in trade discussions with the Hornets, considering he's been a trade chip in other talks.

"Dallas has also discussed Grant Williams as a trade chip in talks with several other teams, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Williams comes up during talks for Washington with Charlotte," Scotto wrote.

The Mavs' attempts to pursue Washington come without surprise, considering sources tell DallasBasketball.com that Dallas has a "longstanding" desire to trade for Washington.

On Wednesday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Charlotte is seeking Josh Green and a first-round pick to part with Washington. In such a scenario, Dallas would need to determine if it's worth parting with two assets to get a deal done.

"It's not just Green [the Hornets want]," Stein wrote in his Substack thread. "The decision is Green AND a first. For a team with not a lot of trade assets, Dallas has to decide if it wants to burn two for a player who might not change their ceiling that much."

Washington has averaged 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 44 games this season, shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 32.4 percent from the perimeter, and 71.3 percent on free throws.