The Los Angeles Lakers were linked to a trade for former UCLA Bruin and L.A. native Jrue Holiday this offseason.
After spending 16 years split between the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics, there’s a chance former Campbell Hall Viking and UCLA Bruin Jrue Holiday can make his way back home.
Holiday was linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, though trade talks haven’t begun, according to Fastbreak Journal’s Grant Afseth.
“Multiple sources recently told FastbreakJournal.com that Holiday is a name to monitor, particularly as a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers,” Afseth wrote.
“That's not to say active conversations are taking place, but his name continues to surface in NBA circles as the team evaluates options to add more talent around LeBron James and Luka Dončić. Other teams are monitoring the situation, though the Lakers are widely viewed as one of the most natural fits if Portland explores a deal.”
Holiday could reportedly come cheap via trade due to his health.
As Afseth points out, he has already had a trade amended this offseason due to a physical, when the Celtics had to take no compensation for swapping Holiday for Anfernee Simons.
“Another factor is health. Sources say Holiday's trade to Portland was delayed before becoming official due to a red flag in his physical. The original deal reportedly included two second-round picks being sent to Boston, but the Celtics ultimately received no draft compensation. Knee-related concerns are common knowledge among rival teams when evaluating Holiday's availability,” Afseth wrote.
Holiday reportedly may want out of Portland. He’s already been used by the Blazers as trade bait before, as part of the 2023 Damian Lillard blockbuster with the Milwaukee Bucks.
It’d hardly be surprising to ultimately see him re-routed from the Rose City a second time.
Category: General Sports
