New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday's name has come up in trade rumors recently since the Pelicans appear to be on their way to missing the playoffs.
The Pelicans, publicly and privately, have made it clear they want to keep Holiday this season and see what he looks like with No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson on the court. Williamson has yet to play this season after undergoing knee surgery. It's unknown when Zion will make his regular season NBA debut with the Pelicans.
According to Sean Deveney of Heavy, the Pelicans' stance on Holiday hasn't changed; they want him in The Big Easy. However, New Orleans could explore trading him in the offseason:
According to sources, New Orleans has made it clear that it’s their preference to keep Holiday, have him be a stabilizing veteran force as the team continues its rebuild—especially with Zion Williamson expected to return within a couple of weeks—and look ahead toward trying to put the team back into the postseason next year. Alternatively, the plan is to explore trading Holiday in the offseason.
The Pelicans are 9-23 on the season. They are in 14th place in the Western Conference standings.
In 30 games this season for the Pelicans, Holiday is averaging 19.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists. The All-NBA defender is shooting 43.5 percent from the field, 34.1 percent from beyond the arc and 69.3 percent from the free-throw line.
Holiday is making $26,131,111 this season with the Pelicans. He's owed $25,396,111 next season and has a player option worth $26,285,000 for the 2021-22 season.
A bevy of contenders would line up for Holiday's services the minute the Pelicans make him available in trade talks. We'll see what the future holds for Holiday, who has career averages of 15.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists.
New Orleans, who upset the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day, is back in action on Saturday when it hosts the Indiana Pacers.
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