Several teams are eyeing New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday as a potential trade target ahead of the February 6 trade deadline. However, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Holiday appears to be happy in New Orleans.
It is unlikely that the Pelicans part ways with the two-way combo guard.
Throughout this season, there has been speculation among teams about Holiday eventually wanting a trade out of New Orleans. However, league sources told The Athletic that Holiday has made clear he’s happy in New Orleans and committed to the city and team. According to sources with knowledge of his thinking, Holiday is said to want to take the rest of the season to view how this team performs, how the Pelicans can build upon winning 12 of their 18 games since Dec. 23 and how they can build down the road.
Holiday’s desire to remain in New Orleans — coupled with Pelicans executive Vice President David Griffin repeatedly vowing publicly that they do not intend to move their veterans unless there is a shift in player mindset — would seem to signal that Holiday will stay put. The Pelicans have wanted to view this roster construction for an entire season, and the belief, for now, is that Griffin stays with that plan.
When the Pelicans got off to a 6-22 record to begin the new season, many assumed they would eventually make Holiday available in trade talks. Likewise, many teams also thought that the 29-year old himself would eventually request for a trade to a contender in order to maximize his prime years.
However, the reports suggest otherwise, and Holiday wants to stay put in the Big Easy to see how this season unfolds. It also does not help the other teams' cases that the Pelicans have already recovered from their horrendous start to the season.
Since their 6-22 start, the Pelicans have gone 14-7 and have inserted themselves back into the Western Conference playoff mix. Now with a 20-29 record, they currently sit at 12th in the standings. They are, however, just four games behind the no. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies and are reportedly looking to make a push for the playoffs with no. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson back in the lineup.
For the Pelicans, it makes sense to keep Holiday for the rest of the season. Not only does he help their chances of eventually sneaking into the postseason, he also provides much-needed knowledge and veteran leadership to a young team looking to make the next jump.
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