• The Milwaukee Bucks traded one of the best two-way guards in the NBA to the Blazers to land Damian Lillard
• Holiday is expected to be moved by the Blazers in the following days
• What are the best destinations for the former All-Star?
Damian Lillard being moved to the Milwaukee Bucks may have birthed another massive trade opportunity for contenders. While the pool for teams after Lillard was relatively small due to his star status, Jrue Holiday will have almost every team in the NBA interested.
The Blazers control Holiday’s future but the team doesn’t have a reason to keep the star guard on their roster. They could get a very strong haul of assets to help with their rebuild if they move on from Holiday, with contenders already lining up to try and acquire Holiday.
After a season where he was named an All-Star, averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, and featured on the All-Defensive First Team, what are the best destinations for Holiday?
5. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers could be the biggest winners of the Damian Lillard trade by virtue of Jrue Holiday becoming available. Even though the Bucks loaded up with one of the best scorers in the NBA, the 76ers could find a way to turn a bad situation into a good one if they can flip James Harden for Holiday.
The 76ers have an offensive guard in Tyrese Maxey, who averaged 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season and looks to be establishing himself as the franchise’s next big star. You already have an MVP like Joel Embiid in the center, with Holiday fitting in like a glove. His on-ball defense, reliable point guard play, and catch-and-shoot availability will be perfect for the franchise.
It’ll also be nice to have him back where it all began, as Holiday was drafted by the 76ers and was ultimately traded away during their tanking years in the early 2010s. He can come back and finish the story with Embiid.
4. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat may have missed out on Dame, but they may be able to convince the Trail Blazers to give them Holiday. Unless the Blazers are icing out the Heat for their behavior in the Lillard saga, Portland could get a hefty package to help Miami salvage what’s been a disastrous offseason.
Even if they don’t have a use for Tyler Herro, the Blazers could easily find a home for the young guard and fetch even more assets to help with their rebuild. In addition, getting Miami to throw in Nikola Jovic or a pick could already be a better return for the Blazers instead of other teams trying to use this to salary dump players on them.
Holiday would make the Heat the best defensive team in the NBA alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. He won’t address the regular season offensive concerns that the Heat faced last season, even downgrading the team with the loss of Herro. But with a defense like that, just rudimentary offensive actions could lead to a big positive.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers will feel the need to jump on Holiday being available more than any other team. They need to shore up their roster with another move to be fully prepared to take on teams like the Lakers and Suns, especially with their troubling injury history. Holiday is available and consistent, fitting in perfectly with the gritty Clippers’ system.
Like how Holiday’s addition to the Heat would make Miami the best defensive team in the NBA, the same argument can be made for the Clippers. We definitely haven’t seen a defensive perimeter trio like Holiday, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George on the same team. It sounds terrifying but can’t be that in reality until we know that all three players will be available.
This trade likely sees Terance Mann and the expiring contract of Marcus Morris Sr. get moved. A first-round pick will be necessary to even get the conversation going, let alone finish the deal. But if the Clippers make this bold move, they bring Holiday back to his hometown to bring a title to the franchise with zero banners.
2. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics might be the best win-now situation for Holiday. The team already made a big move this summer to acquire Kristaps Porzingis for Marcus Smart. In the deal, they ended up receiving first-round picks which they could package in a deal with Malcolm Brogdon to acquire Holiday. The Celtics will need to attach more salary, so the likely loss of Robert Williams or Al Horford looms in a deal like this.
The Celtics may lose depth but will have one of the best starting fives the league has seen in recent years. Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis would be absolutely fearsome on both ends of the ball. A lot will need to be figured out on the bench, but the Celtics have already accepted their fate as a second-apron team and spent a lot of money to build their current roster.
Replacing what they lost with Smart by adding Holiday will make their push for banner No. 18 a lot more realistic, especially with the incredible duo in Milwaukee looking for a title as well.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The dream destination for Holiday is the Lakers. The team has gone for depth but could make a few moves to retain a powerful 9-man roster and acquire Holiday. He is the perfect solution for their point guard woes and provides the defense that the Lakers system requires. D’Angelo Russell is an all-world offensive player, but his inconsistency and defensive lapses mean the win-now Lakers should do everything they can to get Holiday on their squad.
Not only does it mean they keep him from going to the Clippers, but it also gives Darvin Ham a weapon he’s familiar with. He coached Holiday in Milwaukee during their title-winning season and will know the optimal way to implement him. He shot 38.7% from three last season, but his shot quality will likely improve with LeBron James and Anthony Davis around him.
A backcourt of Holiday and Reaves will provide the perfect balance of offense and defense for the versatile player that the Lakers run in the frontcourt. It also frees LeBron of the responsibility of being the primary creator and handler, as Holiday is a veteran option that everyone in that locker room will trust.
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