Jrue Holiday has gone all-in on leadership role with Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are embracing a youth movement, and Jrue Holiday is here for it.

When the Pelicans agreed to trade Anthony Davis for three young players from the Lakers and landed the No. 1 pick that would become Zion Williamson, there was some speculation that Holiday might want to head elsewhere and play for a team with a chance to win now. Instead, team executive David Griffin says the 10-year veteran is all-in with leading the young players and recruiting.

Griffin says Jrue Holiday will be recruiting and leading the young guys – and he’s doing so in such a way Griff never imagined. Says Jrue is all in with these efforts.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) June 26, 2019

This is big and key for the Pelicans. Having Holiday to lead the team will help them develop their young core. He’s coming off a season where he averaged a career-high 21.2 points, 7.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.

Holiday still has three seasons remaining on his five-year, $131 million contract and should be around to help guide the Pelicans over the next few years.