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
Wednesday 4 November 2020 21:27, UK
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.
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.
Last month, he won the NBA's 2019-20 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.
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.
The Pelicans finished the season 30-42. Head coach Alvin Gentry was fired after the team failed to make the playoffs.
