Jrue Holiday: New Orleans Pelicans in talks to trade veteran guard

Jrue Holiday is a trade target for several NBA contenders, with the New Orleans Pelicans looking to focus on building around their young core of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram during the upcoming season

Image: Jrue Holiday has two years remaining on his contract with the New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are involved in talks to trade veteran guard Jrue Holiday, according to US reports.

The Athletic said on Wednesday that "several contending teams are pursuing" Holiday in a trade.

Under new coach Stan Van Gundy, the Pelicans are expected to build around the young core of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Trading Holiday could allow them to get another young player or two for the long term and also shed salary.

Holiday, 30, has two years and about $52 million left on a five-year, $131.8 million deal he signed with the Pelicans in July 2017.

Image: Jrue Holiday is considered to be one of the NBA's elite defensive players

In 61 games last season, he averaged 19.1 points, 6.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds a game - all above his career averages of 15.9 points, 6.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds. He has played 713 career games (640 starts) with the Philadelphia 76ers (2009-13) and Pelicans.

Advertisement

Last month, he won the NBA's 2019-20 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.

Follow Sky Sports NBA on Twitter

See the NBA's best plays and stay up to date with the latest news

Presented annually since 2012-13 and voted on by the players, the award "recognises the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on-and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to (the) team," according to a league press release.

Also See:

The Pelicans finished the season 30-42. Head coach Alvin Gentry was fired after the team failed to make the playoffs.

Get NBA news on your phone

Want the latest NBA news, features and highlights on your phone? Find out more

Want to watch even more of the NBA and WNBA but don't have Sky Sports? Get the Sky Sports Action and Arena pack, click here.

Outbrain