Don't count Jrue Holiday among the increasingly sizable number of people within the NBA that is fed up with Anthony Davis.
The perpetually-underrated New Orleans Pelicans guard not only remains on good terms with his superstar teammate, but told reporters at shootaround Saturday morning Davis has been a model of professionalism since requesting a trade last week.
Anthony Davis is here at AT&T at Pels shootaround. Nothing weird going on. Jrue Holiday told me the only thing weird is the media constantly asking them about it. Said AD has been the consummate professional throughout all this.
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) February 2, 2019
Holiday's assessment of Davis' attitude since this situation came to a head aligns with that of others within the Pelicans locker room.
Though his teammates and coaches are obviously disappointed in Davis' stated desire to play elsewhere, none of them have openly criticized the six-time All-Star for doing what he believes is best for his career.
Holiday probably has as much personal reason to be upset with Davis as anyone in the organization. Earlier this week, the 28-year-old let it be known that his chief justification for signing a five-year deal with New Orleans as a free agent in 2017 was the belief that Davis would be in the bayou for the long haul.
“He's like 90 percent of the reason that I stayed,” Holiday said, per Andrew Lopez of NOLA.com. “He's a talent that comes once in a generation. A 7-footer who can do everything at his skill level.”
His $126 million deal probably had something to do with it, too.
Holiday, averaging 21.2 points and 8.0 assists per game, is enjoying the finest season of his 10-year career. His ability to impact the game at both guard spots on either side of the ball would make him a seamless fit with most any team in the NBA, but the Pelicans have reportedly yet to make him available in trade discussions despite gauging the market for other key players while taking calls on Davis.
Here's hoping Holiday is traded sooner rather than later.
New Orleans seems destined to endure a long rebuilding process after parting ways with Davis, and a player of Holiday's esteemed caliber deserves better than playing for a team whose chief goal is something other than winning games.
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