Jrue Holiday is quite a familiar name around the NBA and people know exactly what he is capable of doing. The veteran has been around for 14 long seasons with his best stints coming from his last three years with the New Orleans Pelicans. In 2020, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired him soon after the season had commenced. They needed a point guard to balance out defensive duties and Holiday was a perfect fit.
After joining Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, the 33-year-old made progress every year. During his first season, his impact on the team’s defense was evident. Holiday ranks quite high among the top defenders in the league as well. Milwaukee ended up winning the title during the 2020-21 season, and the point guard earned his first ring. In 2023, he also earned his second all-star selection, his first in 10 years.
Jrue Holiday says goodbye to the Milwaukee Bucks on IG💚
“Thank you fans! For those who know me best, they know we are all about family.
Milwaukee – you welcomed me and my family into your city, into your homes, into your hearts.
We will forever be champions together, and me… pic.twitter.com/YS0qyL8Ynr
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 28, 2023
However, the Bucks are looking to spice things up and make a run for the title again. Antetokounmpo also made it clear that he would only stay with the Bucks if his teammates were on the same page. Not that Holiday does not want to win a title, but he was their best asset to help them acquire Damian Lillard. The latter pushed for a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers as it wasn’t the ideal championship-caliber situation.
Despite being traded to the Blazers along with a few first-round picks, Jrue Holiday is still being linked to other trades. Let’s take a look into potential suitors and other teams being linked to his name.
Jrue Holiday could be swapped for two first-round picks
Right now, Jrue Holiday has been paired with former No.1 overall pick Deandre Ayton on the Blazers’ roster. Ayton was swapped for Jusuf Nurkic via the three-team trade that was orchestrated to ship Lillard to Milwaukee. The Blazers have something good going on with these two players on the roster. They could build a team around them before making any major moves.
However, Jrue hasn’t exited trade talks yet. Several teams have shown major interest in the 2x All-Star. Some of these teams include the Miami Heat, LA Clippers and Lakers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and Indiana Pacers. Jared Weiss of The Athletic revealed that the Blazers’ asking price for Holiday will be two first-round picks.
The starting price to acquire Jrue Holiday will likely be two 1st-round picks, per @JaredWeissNBA
“The price for Holiday likely starts at two first-round picks, but several teams in the mix have the means and motivation to go beyond that.” pic.twitter.com/cpCXR6dkH7
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 29, 2023
In reality, a Jrue Holiday trade would be highly beneficial for the Celtics as they recently let go of 2022 DPOY Marcus Smart. The Knicks are also great suitors, especially after recent trade rumors revolving around Evan Fournier. In the West, the Clippers could move on from Russell Westbrook to bring in a consistent and defensively skilled Holiday. Besides the Pacers, the other teams have great rosters, and having Holiday around wouldn’t make much difference.
