This Heat-Pelicans Trade for Jrue Holiday Could Actually Work

The NBA trade deadline arrives Thursday, and the New Orleans Pelicans have a player several teams covet.

That man is active guard Jrue Holiday, who has garnered interest from several teams.

Holiday is under contract through next season and holds a player option in 2021-22. The average annual value is over $25 million, but a team like the Miami Heat could acquire him with the sole goal of winning it all this year and worrying about the cap over the summer.

A trade that works for both the Pelicans and the Heat sees New Orleans trade away Holiday for a return of Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow. Dragic is on an expiring deal, and the Pelicans could take on that money for the rest of the year.

But the real prize is Winslow, who has missed time this year with several injuries. He is a young forward who would fit in perfectly with the rebuilding philosophy done by the Pelicans front office.

The Pelicans aren't just going to give Holiday away, and the fact he is not on an expiring deal means the Heat will have to make a tough choice to move on from Winslow. New Orleans could even acquire him with the intention of letting him sit out and recover for as long as possible.

Holiday is averaging 20 points per game this season, and would help keep the Heat as a legitimate contender to win the Eastern Conference. In return, the Pelicans could see if they want to keep Dragic around next year, and would gain another young piece in Winslow, who has yet to reach his full potential.