Heat and Nuggets Reportedly Among Teams Pursuing Jrue Holiday Trade
By Jerry Trotta
The NBA's trade deadline is suddenly fast approaching. So far, however, the proceedings have left a lot to be desired for fans hankering for a blockbuster deal.
Well, this latest rumor could get the ball rolling.
With approximately a week left until the Feb. 6 cutoff, insider Shams Charania understands that the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets are among the teams inquiring about star New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday.
According to @ShamsCharania, the Nuggets and Heat are among the teams expressing trade interest in Jrue Holiday.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 31, 2020
Holiday, probably because he plays for the generally irrelevant Pelicans, has long been one of the NBA's most unappreciated talents, but would promptly change the seasonal outlook of a contending team that is able to acquire him.
For the season, the UCLA product is averaging 20 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 44.5% from the floor and a shade under 36% on threes. And those statistics, though of legitimate quality, don't do any justice to the suffocating, terrorizing defense he delivers on a nightly basis.
New Inside Pass from NBA Insider @ShamsCharania:
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) January 31, 2020
Despite a year of speculation that a trade request could develop, Jrue Holiday makes clear he’s happy and committed in New Orleans; Eastern Conference squad among teams pursuing Clint Capela and more.https://t.co/QHieh7CJ0q
Holiday, according to Shams, appears content in the Big Easy, but it would seriously behoove the Pelicans to offload him and acquire more assets to build around their core of Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Lonzo Ball.
From this point forward, we'll be keeping close tabs on the swirling rumors surrounding the 29-year-old operator.