A Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has suddenly become more likely than ever as he's indicated to the Milwaukee Bucks he's ready for a new home, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. That new development should officially vindicate the Portland Trail Blazers controversial decision to acquire Jrue Holiday this past summer.
Portland was already a key player in these Giannis trade talks because of its unique position: the future draft capital it received from the Damian Lillard deal. But having Holiday gives the Blazers even more leverage.
Jrue Holiday trade gives Blazers multiple paths in Giannis sweepstakes
For one, it increases the non-zero chance of trading for Giannis themselves. Portland is most likely to help facilitate a multi-team deal, but you can't entirely rule them out as a dark horse.
The Bucks are seeking young assets in return for Giannis to help jumpstart a rebuild, and Portland has the easiest path to that by giving them back their draft picks. Having Holiday and Damian Lillard in the picture now gives the Blazers a reason to pursue Giannis, too. They have aging stars that can help them accelerate their rebuild. Plus, Giannis' connections to his former teammates would certainly help convince him to stay in Portland (despite wanting a bigger market and sunny weather).
Realistically, it's still a pipe dream that the Greek Freak lands in Portland. But even in that scenario, Portland would still be in a valuable position with Holiday. The Boston Celtics may have difficulty finding value for Anfernee Simons at the deadline. The Blazers won't have that problem for Holiday should they decide to shop him.
Teams like the New York Knicks have already expressed interest in Portland's veteran guard, indicating that the Blazers bought low on him in the offseason. Holiday had a down season in Boston primarily due to injury and a lessened role, resulting in a narrative that his play was declining. He's boosted his stock in Portland, proving he has plenty of gas left in the tank.
That gives them tremendous flexibility at the deadline with multiple viable pathways. 1. Make a smaller move and keep Holiday to make a playoff push. 2. Steal Giannis and keep Holiday to help contend while convincing their new superstar to stay long-term. 3. Trade Holiday to a team interested in Giannis, coming away with a key piece like Mikal Bridges to help accelerate their rebuild. 4. Trade Holiday for future assets, continuing to take a patient approach while improving their long-term outlook.
The Blazers wouldn't have all these intriguing options with Simons. It is the same dilemma as Boston currently faces. They want to trade Simons to get ahead of his expiring contract, but the catch-22 is that no other team is willing to sacrifice valuable assets because of that.
This trade was already looking like a win for Portland with the way Holiday has played when healthy this season. But Holiday and the Blazers' rare connection to the Giannis situation unraveling suddenly puts them in the passenger's seat of the entire sweepstakes.
That's a prime spot to be in with just a week to go until the Feb. 5 deadline.