Chicago Bulls: 3 early trade targets for Arturas Karnisovas
Scouting Report. Point Guard. Age: 29. Jrue Holiday. 2. player. Pick Analysis. 69
Who knows where the New Orleans Pelicans go from here if they’re trying to build around the former Duke Blue Devils freshman sensation forward and potential generational talent Zion Williamson. But two names that stick out among the veteran guards that they could move are fellow former Duke product J.J. Redick and standout two-way point guard Jrue Holiday.
In 55 games played with the Pelicans this season (all of which he started), Holiday averaged 19.6 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks. He shot 45.2 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 70.0 percent from the charity stripe. That helped the 29-year-old former UCLA Bruin post a box plus/minus rating of 2.3, 2.1 value over replacement player rating, .099 win shares per 48 minutes, and 53.5 true shooting percentage.
There were parts of Holiday’s game this season that just weren’t as efficient as usual. His shooting from deep being one of them. He shot four percent worse than the league average from two-point range, and at the league average from downtown. He also had a 29 percent worse free-throw attempt rate than the league average.
A lot of teams that would potentially be interested in trading for Holiday this offseason would be scared away by his streaking shooting performances in the season currently on pause. But this is where the Bulls could win by buying low on Holiday. The Pelicans have certainly been active on the trade market of late anyway.