If the New Orleans Pelicans are indeed open to trading Jrue Holiday, here are five potential deals that would make the most sense.
The New Orleans Pelicans may be missing prized rookie Zion Williamson, but riding a 13-game losing streak and sporting a 6-22 record, there are few excuses for how uncompetitive they’ve been. Head coach Alvin Gentry’s seat is starting to feel warm, and though the Pelicans are reportedly reluctant to trade veteran sharpshooter J.J. Redick, another coveted asset on their roster may now be available.
According to the New York Times‘ Marc Stein, the team is open to moving combo guard Jrue Holiday in the midst of a wildly disappointing season. New Orleans entered the 2019-20 campaign with playoff aspirations as a dark horse out West, but the team hasn’t jelled as expected, and Williamson’s absence took the wind out of their sails early on.
Executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin denied the rumors that Holiday is up for trade, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he were moved sometime in the next calendar year. In what’s shaping up to be a lost season, the Pelicans may soon gear up for a rebuild through promising youngsters like Williamson, Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Griffin’s ambitious summer of putting capable veterans around inexperienced youngsters hasn’t panned out as expected, and dealing Holiday now would capitalize on his trade value. He’s still in his prime at 29 years old, is under contract for at least another year and a half, and represents a better option than most of the options who will be available in a weak 2020 free agency pool.
Teams looking to strengthen the backcourt should give Holiday a serious look, especially since his $27 million salary wouldn’t be too difficult to match in a trade. He can play either guard spot, making him extra valuable, and even in something of a down year, Holiday is still averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game while also providing stout perimeter defense.
The question is, which suitors would make the most sense and actually have the kind of strong trade package that would convince New Orleans to bite? Here’s a look at five potential deals, including a few honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions:
Atlanta Hawks — The Hawks realize they need to avoid making the same mistake the Phoenix Suns made and put some legitimate talent around their franchise star sooner rather than later. Holiday would help make up for some of Trae Young‘s shortcomings on defense and indicate they’re not going to waste time putting a winning product on the floor. A package of Chandler Parsons‘ expiring deal, Kevin Huerter and a future first-round draft pick (the 2020 lottery-protected pick from the Brooklyn Nets, perhaps?) might be enough to get it done, but more than likely, it’d take another first-rounder. Trading Huerter may also be a nonstarter for Atlanta.
Detroit Pistons — Wishful thinking for the Pistons, since a trio of Holiday, Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond would be pretty fun. Unfortunately, Reggie Jackson‘s expiring contract, 3-and-D wing Tony Snell and two future first-rounders probably wouldn’t put Detroit on David Griffin’s callback list.
Philadelphia 76ers — Tobias Harris and some form of draft compensation works, but do the Sixers really need Jrue Holiday? They’ve already got a lanky wing who can guard multiple backcourt positions in Josh Richardson, as well as a hybrid point guard with Ben Simmons. Holiday could technically squeeze in there somewhere if the Pelicans wanted Harris, but that wouldn’t make much sense for either side.