The Utah Jazz could really use Jrue Holiday.
The Damian Lillard trade went down finally and it was the Milwaukee Bucks of all teams to land the long-time Portland Trail Blazer guard. In order to get him, they had to send over a host of players and picks, some of whom went to the Phoenix Suns, just to get the deal done. The big-name the Bucks lost, however, was Jrue Holiday.
While Holiday isn’t nearly the same scorer that Lillard is, he is a better defender and as good of a passer as Lillard. The Bucks didn’t want to move on from Holiday, this wasn’t a situation like in 2019-2020 when they were trying to get rid of Eric Bledsoe.
No, the reason Holiday was moved was because the Bucks needed to match salaries with the Blazers and Lillard. That’s it, no other reason. He’s still a valuable guard, and can still make an impact on a team to land him, and that’s why the Utah Jazz should seriously consider going after the two-way player.
The Utah Jazz won’t be the only team interested in him, however, as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are already circling the Trail Blazers to try and land him. He’s going to cost a pretty penny. Some are suggesting as high as two or three first-round picks, but it’s likely they’ll part ways with him for one, some salary-matching contracts, and a moderately young big.
He’s on a pretty solid contract, it’s over $30 million per season, but it’s only guaranteed for the next season, and then it’s a player option. So either way, he’s off the books in two seasons no matter what. So it’s not like you’re getting bogged down with a bad deal.
Not only that but for the Utah Jazz specifically, Holiday provides everything they’re lacking at point guard. He can lead an offense, he’s a good passer and his defense has made him one of, if not the best defensive guard in the league.
He’s almost the perfect player for the Utah Jazz at this current juncture. The Jazz shouldn’t break open the piggy bank to get him, but they should be open to sending over a draft pick and a player if that’s the cost right now.