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Jrue Holiday Seems Unlikely to Stay in New Orleans

By Josh Wilson

March 5, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 5, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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In NBA rumors, Jrue Holiday seems unlikely to stay with the New Orleans Pelicans, making him a possible option for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Philadelphia 76ers are, of course, not in the NBA playoffs this season. Because of that, their focus has already shifted from game plans and practices to the NBA Draft and free agency. In a way, that gives them a huge leg up as they look to be much more competitive next season. They will have plenty of time to plan out their future.

One of the pieces that they’ve been rumored to be interested in is point guard Jrue Holiday, who spent his time with the New Orleans Pelicans most recently. Holiday is a former Sixers player himself, and was traded in return for Nerlens Noel during the NBA Draft.

Now, however, a Holiday return seems like it could happen, as he is the type of point guard that could fit well around Ben Simmons.

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Jake Madison, host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, talked a little bit about Holiday, and why he felt like the New Orleans Pelicans were going to move on from Holiday. If this is the case, it opens a door for the Sixers to lunge and attempt to persuade Holiday to make his way back to Philadelphia.

In the podcast, Madison calls the episode of the podcast “conspiracy-esque,” and says that he has a “theory,” so this is far from a legitimate, sourced report, but he dives deeply into quotes from Alvin Gentry and Dell Demps, so this certainly is not coming out of thin air.

“Maybe the decision on Holiday is already made,” Madison said. “Maybe they know Holiday’s not going to be re-signing with this team.”

You can listen to Madison’s Tuesday podcast here.

He goes on to play some clips from the closing interviews of the Pelicans, and breaks them down analytically, saying it’s odd that they aren’t being a bit more positive, and using a certain language when it comes to Holiday. He believes their avoidance of saying Holiday is their number one priority this summer may indicate Holiday will be gone after this year for the Pelicans.

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While that may seem far out, I think it’s pretty likely that that’s the case. The New Orleans Pelicans are already pushing $90 million on their payroll for next season, and with Holiday only making $11 million last year, he’s due for a significant pay jump.

The market could dictate that Holiday is much closer, if not over, $20 million, something the Pelicans can not afford while also salvaging their future.

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So, this would open a door for the Sixers, but the question then becomes, does Philadelphia need him? I’m not so sure. They have Jerryd Bayless, could draft a point guard, and could possibly find some better options in free agency. I’m just not so sure throwing money at Holiday at this point in the Sixers rebuild makes much sense.