Let’s go on Holiday
That big fish is a slightly smaller fish in Jrue Holiday. But he’s one of the most underrated guards in the league. His resume is filled with shutting down one of the best offensive point guards in the league in a massive playoff series. He is the perfect personality for any culture looking to win. He’ll never succumb to the disease of me. Similar to Zion Williamson and LeBron James being created in factories to play basketball, Holiday was manufactured to be a perfect team player.
Though the Pelicans have come out and said they aren’t trading Holiday, they may have to accept their fate soon. It would be smart for them to go all-in on a rebuild, and Holiday would bring in a large haul from any team. He may not necessarily be the 1-A player that LeBron, or Davis, or Kevin Durant is, but he’s the perfect second fiddle. A Klay Thompson-esque personality has been a key cog in the machine of the Warriors dynasty, and Holiday fits that bill.
Holiday would cost a lot in terms of assets but would be well worth it. He sure would cost much more than Lonzo Ball and for good reason. The 28-year old guard has produced at a high level and is on a dream contract.
Pairing Holiday with Booker as the two guards would make a lot of sense. Holiday is the perfect defensive presence on the perimeter to go with Booker. He’s already proven himself by shutting down Damian Lillard last year and is necessary in a conference filled with offensive masterminds at the position.
On the other end, the Pelicans’ guard seems to prefer having a primary ball handler opposite him. That could be an issue given Booker isn’t a natural ball handler. However, a rotation of Holiday and Booker at point could work in theory. It would offer different looks for the Suns and make use of both players on and off the ball. Developing each as combo guards would be an interesting offense for Igor to draw up.
Yes, Jrue Holiday doesn’t create the splash that Anthony Davis would. But he is the perfect fit for Phoenix. He’d be the ideal piece to build a winning culture in a place that is starved for it. He wouldn’t be one to tweet from barber shops about wanting out. A deal for Jrue Holiday would change the trajectory of this Phoenix franchise.