The New Orleans Pelicans have — somewhat predictably — begun to fall apart now that Anthony Davis is no longer with the team, and that may lead to them trading another star veteran in the coming weeks.
The Pelicans are now open to trading Jrue Holiday, Marc Stein of the New York Times reports. Aside from Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and JJ Redick, they are apparently open to moving any player in the right deal.
Yet what that also means is Jrue Holiday is indeed available via trade, league sources say. It would surely cost a significant amount to pry him away from the Pels, but this is a notable change in status given how unavailable Holiday was to interested teams last season
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 17, 2019
New Orleans has lost 12 straight games to fall to 6-21 on the season. If they think it’s going to take them a few years to rebuild around Williamson and Ingram, trading Holiday makes sense. He’s been an important part of their team in recent years and is averaging an impressive 19.4 points, 6.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game, but he is 29 and making more than $25 million this season and next season. Holiday holds a player option on his contract for 2021-22.
The Pelicans were hoping the additions of Williamson, Ingram and Lonzo Ball could help keep them competitive without Davis, but that has not panned out. They are arguably the worst team in the NBA, though that could change when Williamson eventually makes his regular season debut.
