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NBA Free Agency 2017: 20 best players available

By John Buhler

Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 5, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) moves the ball up court as Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) trails during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 5, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) moves the ball up court as Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) trails during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
15

Jrue Holiday

Point Guard, New Orleans Pelicans

It’s interesting to think that point guard Jrue Holiday has already spent four years with the New Orleans Pelicans. Before being traded to New Orleans in the 2013 NBA Draft day trade involving center Nerlens Noel, Holiday was an All-Star point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers.

That feels like such a long time ago when a 22-year-old Holiday was about to enter his prime as a player. Obviously, injuries with the Pelicans have derailed him to some degree in his career, but Holiday enters unrestricted free agency coming off a halfway decent season with the Pelicans.

Holiday averaged 15.4 points 7.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 67 games for the Pelicans. That was the most he had played up to that point in a Pelicans uniform. While those numbers aren’t good enough to be an All-Star in the Western Conference, we should be expect Holiday to command a big payday this summer. New Orleans will have to pay him handsomely to keep him or he’s signing elsewhere.

By re-upping with the Pelicans Holiday would have at least another year to be the primary ball handler in an offense that features power forward Anthony Davis and center DeMarcus Cousins. If he leaves, it is almost certain that Holiday wouldn’t play with two players half as good as Boogie and The Brow. However, are we sure that New Orleans is making the Western Conference Playoffs next year? Maybe a change of scenery is the best thing for Holiday as he enters his late 20s?

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