Jrue Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in return for Damian Lillard. Many reports state that the Trail Blazers could turn around and shop Holiday. The Blazers remain committed to their young guards.
Though, keeping a veteran guard around to mentor guys like Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe. The Blazers remain engaged in trade talks to move Holiday. The 33-year-old, Holiday, was acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks prior to the 2020-21 season. The Bucks won the NBA Championship that same year. Many have stated that Jrue Holiday was the missing piece. Though, on the flip side it’s hard to imagine how he’d fit. He’d be taking minutes away from somebody.
He’s coming off a great year of his own, in which he averaged 19.3 points and 7.4 assists and was an All-Star in his 14th year.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are a team that might be looking for a point guard. An organization that has some turmoil of its own, but still remains capable of competing in what now could be a crowded Eastern Conference. Holiday is a downgrade from Harden in terms of scoring and playmaking, but his defense is something the Sixers sorely need to help cover for Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt. He’s acquainted to playing with a star who operates out of the paint.
Miami Heat
Now, that Lillard is off the market. The Heat may be in search of a point guard. The Blazers presumably won’t be as hard with negotiations around Holiday as they were with Lillard.
The 33-year-old would represent a clear upgrade at point guard, his two-way abilities would suit the Heat perfectly. He was a 39.5 percent three-point shooter while remaining an elite perimeter defender with Milwaukee.
Holiday would be a nice consolation prize to Lillard.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have been linked to a marquee guard all offseason. Harden has been unable to carve a path to the West Coast. So, a new avenue may be open.
Westbrook performed well after swapping locker rooms at Crypto.com Arena. He averaged 15.8 points and 7.6 assists and shot 35.6 percent from beyond the arc in 21 starts with the Clippers. Its fair to wonder if he could sustain that success over the course of a season. Even that version of Westbrook isn’t as good as what Jrue Holiday would be able.
Holiday would take some defensive pressure off of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and could help the team on that end of the floor.
***
Click here for more sports news.
Follow Fantom Sports on Instagram.