Bucks Zone

Jrue Holiday is expected to be dealt away from the Portland Trail Blazers

Jrue may not be staying in Portland for long.

Jonas Panerio

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Jrue Holiday is headed to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the trade package that sent seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. However, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the veteran guard may only stay with the franchise briefly as the team will explore trade opportunities to net them more assets.

With a backcourt headed by Anfernee Simons and this year’s third overall pick, Scoot Henderson, the Blazers are committed to developing their young core, leaving the 33-year-old Holiday as the odd man out.

Committed to its young guards

After spending over a decade with Lillard at the helm, the Blazers will hand over the reins to its new backcourt of Simons and Henderson. The 6-foot-3 Simons is coming off a career-best season where he averaged 21.1 points and 4.1 assists. Henderson, on the other hand, averaged 16.5 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in 19 games for the G League Ignite last season.

As superb as a player Holiday is, he doesn’t fit in with this group’s timeline.

Lots of potential suitors

Holiday is a 15-year veteran coming off a season wherein he made the All-Star team. He averaged 19.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Bucks last season and is expected to attract lots of interest from contending teams. As early as now, the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and the Golden State Warriors are reportedly eying Holiday’s services.

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO