Why Spurs Should Trade for Jrue Holiday
It's been less than 24 hours since arguably the biggest trade of this NBA offseason shook the basketball world.
Former Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard — an 11-year veteran who's been known for his dedication to one team — was no longer a Blazer. He was a Buck.
Milwaukee, as a part of a three-team deal with Portland, made a surprise move to grab the seven-time All-NBA point guard, sending away elite-defender Jrue Holiday in the process. Holiday's movement came just one day after he spoke out on his situation in Milwaukee, stating that he wanted to retire a Buck and didn't want to play anywhere else.
Unfortunately for him, he won't get that luxury ... or at least, not yet. But he also won't be suiting up for Portland, either. Directly upon accepting the trade, the 'Blazers made clear that they had no intentions of retaining the veteran point guard, but rather shopping him to "contending" teams.
Mar 29, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA;Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Enter the San Antonio Spurs.
No, they aren't currently contenders and likely won't be this season, even with No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama, but could they be a landing spot for Holiday? The case isn't too far-fetched.
Defensive-savvy guards have a place on any basketball team at any level, especially in the NBA, where perimeter scorers are more skilled than ever.
Holiday has been arguably the pinnacle of said archetype over the past few seasons. It seems like every May and June, Holiday reminds the NBA world how valuable his elite on-ball defense skills are, with the 2021 NBA Finals being the apex.
Holiday would also be a welcome addition for a franchise that hasn't had a defensive-minded point guard since 2017 — when Dejounte Murray earned a second-team All Defense bid.
And, acknowledging this may strike a nerve for a majority of San Antonio’s fanbase, Holiday would certainly make a case for the Spurs’ best defender overall since Kawhi Leonard.
Then again, replacing Leonard as one of the top defenders in franchise history might be a welcome change.
So, as a player, Holiday fits. As a leader, he would as well — especially given the general youth of the Spurs. Plus, pairing him with another 7-foot power forward might just work for the former Bucks star.
No deal is in the works, and there may not be one at all if Portland isn’t privy to work with San Antonio, or if Holiday doesn’t want to join a franchise still technically rebuilding. But there certainly is a case to be made for a potential pairing in the Lone Star State.
Plus, it is the NBA offseason — and that’s always full of surprises.
