The future of Jrue Holiday is the most polarizing topic for New Orleans Pelicans fans this season, and where he ends up is anybody’s guess. Today, we bring in experts from the Nuggets, Pacers, Lakers, Bulls, Kings, Knicks and Pelicans to assess Jrue Holiday’s potential fit with their team, and predict his ultimate landing spot.
How would Jrue Holiday make your team better?
Nuggets
Matthew Huff (@Huff_Melo7 of @Nugg_Love)
It’s simple. We were 29th in defensive efficiency. So the answer is clearly defense.
Pacers
Ian Levy (@HickoryHigh of @The_Step_Back)
We saw this season in Indiana that it’s not just about talent, it’s about fit. Indiana could conceivably let Jeff Teague walk this summer and chase Holiday but, other than being two years younger, Jrue doesn’t offer much more than Teague did. Holiday and Teague are both best with the ball in their hands, not necessarily as a complimentary threat spotting up around Paul George. Neither is a very good defender and neither is the kind of volume 3-point shooting threat that will really open up the Pacers offense. If the Pacers are interested in the status quo in terms of style and roster fit, Teague is likely to be cheaper.
Bulls
Daniel Coughlin (@xvanwilder of @BullsBeatBlog)
Jrue would make the Bulls better by shooting, dribbling, passing, playing defense and sitting on the bench while resting. Basically, he’s an upgrade in all of those areas over every current option Chicago has on their roster at point. Rondo might be a better passer, but only when he’s trying. Also, Rondo is only trying twelve games per season.
Lakers
Clayton Fawcette (@Lakers1949 of @LakersPulse)
Jrue Holiday is a pretty decent fit with D’Angelo Russell as he is a combo guard who is able to defend at a decently high level, handle the ball, and stretch the floor. He also is close enough in age to fit the timeline for the young core of the Lakers. The ability to let Russell play some off ball, and Holiday’s ability to defend make him a good fit that will aide the young guys development.
Kings
Rafe Wong (@rafnation of @ARoyalPain)
I think the biggest contribution that Jrue could bring to the Sacramento Kings is his defense. This season, Holiday showcased his defensive efficiency, and I think he would help improve a perimeter defense in the Kings that was absolutely horrid this season.
Knicks
Maxwell Ogden (@MaxwellOgden of @DailyKnicksFS)
New York’s primary position of weakness is point guard. Derrick Rose had his moments, but New York needs a point guard who can defend, shoot, and facilitate. Rose ranked No. 81 amongst point guards in Defensive RPM, shot 21.7 percent from 3-point range, and averaged 4.9 assists per 36 minutes. Holiday ranked No. 3 in Defensive RPM, shot 35.6 percent from beyond the arc, and averaged 8.0 assists per 36 minutes. Holiday is the missing piece.
Pelicans
Rick Stone (@RickStoneNBA of @PelicanDebrief)
The Pelicans clearly need a floor general to compliment Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. They may not find a better one available than Jrue Holiday. That is especially true in the pick-and-roll, where Davis shines in the right spots. He also has the right skill set on offense and defense, to work with a slower type offensive unit. When he’s comfortable and healthy, he’s lethal. He also has a chemistry with Davis that no other point guard can match at this very moment. If the Pelicans want to have comfort and talent at the point guard position, that has the knowledge of the system, Holiday’s the guy.