NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the New Orleans Pelicans
1. Jrue Holiday
Re-signing Holiday should be the top priority for the Pelicans this offseason; Coach Alvin Gentry said as much himself in an interview with SiriusXM NBA last month. If Jrue leaves, the Pelicans will have a hard time finding a comparable replacement. New Orleans can offer Holiday as much as $175 million over five years, but bringing him back at that figure would push the team dangerously close to the luxury tax in both of the next two seasons. Offering Holiday a fifth year will probably be necessary to entice his return. Getting the total value of the new contract over five years down to the $125-$135 million range, would be ideal for the Pelicans.
Holiday is a great all-around player that fits well on this Pelicans roster. On the defensive end of the floor, he is big enough to competently guard both backcourt positions. Having a player like Holiday to throw at some of the West’s best guards is especially important for this Pelicans squad. Cousins will be playing heavy minutes at center, and he has often played with inconsistent effort on the defensive end (to put it lightly). Establishing an effective perimeter defense that stymies pick and rolls and prevents opposing guards from getting close to the rim could limit the defensive burden that falls on Cousins.
Holiday’s offensive skill set is just as important to New Orleans. He might be the ideal point guard for establishing a balanced offense that complements the strengths of Davis and Cousins. Holiday is not a high usage player for a point guard and he is an effective passer, especially in pick and rolls. He will look to set up Davis and Cousins when they roll to the basket or pop out for long-range shots. In addition, his solid 3-point shooting will allow him to play off the ball and space the floor when those guys look to isolate or post. Holiday is just above the league average in 3-point shooting for his career, but has flirted with the 40% mark numerous times (per Basketball-Reference).
Injuries have been a constant concern for Holiday since he was traded to New Orleans. He hasn’t played close to a full season since his last year with the Sixers in 2012-2013, although he was mostly healthy last season (he missed time due to his wife’s serious illness). Committing well over $100 million to a guy with a checkered injury history is a big risk, but New Orleans does not have all that much leverage in this situation.
Next: Every NBA team's greatest draft pick of all time
If Holiday is only interested in a max offer, the Pelicans should seriously consider parting ways with him. Losing Holiday would put the Pelicans in the market for guys like Jeff Teague and George Hill, but Hill will almost certainly fall outside of their price range. In any case New Orleans would have to trade Asik or Ajinca (or waive them using the stretch provision) to get even close to signing either of those guys. I’m not sure that investing in Teague or Hill, both of whom are older than Holiday, is particularly prudent. The Pelicans may not have much of a choice though if Holiday departs.