Finally, star guard Damian Lillard is getting his act together. But will there be another blockbuster trade in the near future?
The Portland Trail Blazers sent Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and received Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Kamara and two draft picks in return as part of a three-team trade on Wednesday.
The Warriors were never in the mix to land Lillard. In fact, the star recently stated that he would rather lose every season than join Golden State. but ESPN’s Brian Windhorst Expect the latest All-Star involved in the trade to be on the move soon on Holiday, a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree.
“Even the Warriors, who have interesting young players on their roster, as well as a few long-shot picks and trades for when Stephen Curry retires, could join the race.” [to trade for Holiday]“Provided they are willing to trade back Chris Paul, whose offseason work in trying to adapt was praised by members of the organization,” Windhorst wrote.
“Curry has never had a teammate in the backfield like Paul, but he has never had a teammate with the skill set of Holiday, who is five years younger.”
It’s an interesting idea. Holiday could turn around a playoff series as one of the best backcourt defenders in the league. His tenacity coupled with the best shooter in the game in Curry would provide an incredible punch in the backcourt.
But to make this trade, the Warriors would have to move a lucrative contract like Paul, who is due $30.8 million this season and has $30 million non-guaranteed on the books next year. They also hope to re-sign Klay Thompson to a long-term deal as he enters a contract year. Adding Holiday would only add to the high luxury tax the organization has faced in recent years.
Holiday has one year remaining on his contract and will likely decline his player option for 2024-25. A contending team likely wouldn’t trade him unless they were confident he would sign a long-term contract, but he is unable to sign an extension until late March due to Wednesday’s trade.
However, it’s not just Golden State that Windhorst is speculating about. He also listed the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings as teams likely to find a way to trade this offseason.
The Trail Blazers are rebuilding. If they start looking for a trade partner for the 33-year-old Holiday, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. may be answering the phone.
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