NBA Rumors: Latest on Jrue Holiday Trade, DeMar DeRozan and More
The New Orleans Pelicans are a team still hoping to build around a young core including Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball.
New Orleans had a legitimate opportunity to earn the final playoff spot in the Western Conference entering the NBA restart, but the Pels fumbled away that chance in Orlando, Florida.
As a result, the Pelicans parted ways with Alvin Gentry and hired Stan Van Gundy to replace him as head coach. The coaching change appears to be the first step for executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin in building something more sustainable. Whether veteran guard Jrue Holiday will be part of that is another question.
Here is the latest on the trade buzz surrounding Holiday, as well as some other rumors from around the NBA.
Pelicans Shopping Jrue Holiday
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The 30-year-old is on the verge of his 11th season, and superstars like Damian Lillard have hailed Holiday as the best backcourt defender in basketball.
Holiday has also established himself as a consummate professional both on and off the floor, with Griffin saying last fall everyone on the Pels would "run through a brick wall" for the point guard, per NBA.com.
However, the former first-round pick's contract situation and the fact he is an aging guy on a young team is seemingly weighing heavily on Griffin.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Pelicans are "openly discussing" Holiday in trade talks, adding "several contending teams are pursuing."
It is hardly a surprise to see Holiday has a wide range of suitors. Aside from his defensive prowess, Holiday is also a guy who just averaged 19.1 points, 6.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds. He was a 20-point scorer just one year prior, in addition to averaging nearly eight assists and five rebounds per contest.
There is no disputing Holiday is one of the most productive guards in basketball. Whether he fits in New Orleans' long-term plans is another question.
Holiday is owed over $25 million for this season and has a player option worth over $26 million next season, per Spotrac. While those are relatively team-friendly salaries, the Pels might be inclined to move Holiday now so as to maximize return value. Of course, New Orleans might also be hoping to avoid the possibility Holiday opts out after next season.
Still, removing the guard from the fold would rob an already weak Pels defense of its best defender and one of its top playmakers. Those are hardly ideal prospects for a team desperate to make a postseason push.
Regardless, it seems New Orleans is open to exploring its opportunities, and it will be intriguing to see whether any contender—perhaps a team like the Milwaukee Bucks—has the assets to get a deal done.
Spurs Might Look to Move DeMar DeRozan
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While the New Orleans Pelicans seem to be getting out feelers for Holiday, the San Antonio Spurs might be in a more urgent position to move forward DeMar DeRozan.
San Antonio failed to make the playoffs this past season for the first time since 1997, when Gregg Popovich took over for former head coach Bob Hill. There is a sense the Spurs could be desperate to stockpile young assets to start anew, seemingly making the 31-year-old DeRozan more expendable.
There is a slight issue, however. DeRozan has a player option for this season worth nearly $28 million, per Spotrac. It would take some assurances from other teams for the four-time All-Star to turn down that kind of money.
Indeed, John Hollinger of The Athletic reported it is likely DeRozan exercises the option and the Spurs look to deal him elsewhere.
A split seems to make sense for both sides. An anonymous agent told The Athletic in October DeRozan is unhappy in San Antonio and would prefer to join a new team.
Granted, DeRozan could just decline the player option and become a free agent. But it is questionable whether a player with DeRozan's skill set could make $28 million in the open market, especially with the uncertainties teams face following the financial fallout from COVID-19.
DeRozan is a 20-point scorer who excels in the mid-range while also having the ability to rebound and set up teammates off the dribble or diving to the rim. Of course, the modern game is geared more towards the perimeter and spacing, and DeRozan is far from the traditional three-and-D wing fans have become more accustomed to seeing.
There is a chance the Spurs might look to package DeRozan and the 11th overall pick in the upcoming draft so as to move up the board and narrow in on the player they so desire. In any case, Hollinger seems to think it is more likely DeRozan accepts his option with the idea the team will trade him this fall.
Teams Monitoring James Harden Situation in Houston
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The Houston Rockets appear adamant they want to retain James Harden amid a flurry of trade rumors.
Charania reported Tuesday the Philadelphia 76ers—with former Rockets president of basketball operations Daryl Morey taking over in that role for Philly—are expected to pursue Harden this offseason. However, Charania added the inclusion of Harden in any deal is a "non-starter" for the Rockets.
Other teams might not be quite as convinced of that latter point.
Marc Stein of the New York Times reported Tuesday teams around the league are monitoring Harden's situation in Houston and wondering whether the Rockets will eventually consider moving him.
Stein noted Harden's preferred candidates for the team's head coaching position were Tyronn Lue and John Lucas. But Houston instead had a long courtship with former head coach Jeff Van Gundy before hiring Dallas Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas.
Lucas should still figure into the coaching picture. Charania reported Tuesday evening the Rockets were close to an agreement to make Lucas part of Silas' staff. Still, it seems other teams are curious as to whether some of these personnel decisions have irked Harden.
Houston will not just deal Harden if he is disgruntled. Stein cited a recent interview from Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta during which he insisted Houston would be contenders. That kind of statement would seem to suggest the Rockets will do everything in their power to continue building around Harden to appease him and try to get over the hump.
Yet, the mere possibility, however slight, of trading for a former MVP and offensive talent like "The Beard" is surely salivating to any number of teams, all of whom will likely continue to keep an eye on Harden's purported happiness in Houston.
All stats obtained via Basketball Reference, unless otherwise noted.
