The Portland Trail Blazers need to keep Jrue Holiday. He needs to be what he was for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown, but this time, for Deni Avdija. Holiday is a title-winner. The title-winner. He’s the guy you trade for when you want to win a championship. So, if the Blazers make a huge trade this summer, Holiday needs to stay in place.
He’s the exact guy you want on your side when you’re battling in the playoffs. As Avdija is trying to lead (or co-lead) the Blazers to a title, he will want a guy like Holiday by his side. The defensive menace. The tertiary offensive creator. The tone-setter.
No matter the big-swing trade Portland makes this summer (if there is one), Holiday should be kept around.
Blazers need to keep Jrue Holiday this summer
When Holiday was on the New Orleans Pelicans, he was an elite defender. He won a playoff series or two in his heyday down in New Orleans, but the talent was never there to get over the hump.
But when the Milwaukee Bucks traded for him, his true value was revealed. He helped Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton win a ring in 2021, cementing himself as one of the best two-way players in the game.
Then, a few years after that, the Boston Celtics traded for him. They landed him in a deal with the Blazers (ironically), bringing him on board to help Brown and Jayson Tatum get their first ring.
He succeeded once again. Holiday was one of the more important pieces of the 2024 Celtics, stepping up on offense and providing his usual lockdown defense at all times.
Now, Holiday is in Portland, Avdija is a newly named All-Star (as of this past season), and the Trail Blazers seem primed to make a huge move this summer to help push them back into title contention.
Some rumors have swirled about their potential interest in Brown. Portland wants Giannis, but he wants to stay in the Eastern Conference, so that seems unlikely.
The point is, the Blazers seem to understand that they have a chance to make a trade that would propel them into title contention this summer.
So, if they do end up making a trade of that caliber, they need to make sure Holiday stays in Portland. Because he’s the exact type of player Avdija – and whoever else they add – needs to win.
Holiday is a winner. Plain and simple.
Add us as a preferred source on Google