U.S. outlet urges Portland to keep Jrue Holiday for Deni Avdija’s title push

Portland is expected to make several changes this summer, but a U.S. site is urging the Trail Blazers not to part with Jrue Holiday. The veteran point guard, who is highly valued by the club, is viewed as a possible trade candidate because of his large contract, worth $34.8 million next season, if Portland pursues a major deal.

On the Rip City Project, Holiday was described as the kind of player Deni Avdija needs beside him if Portland wants to contend for a championship. The outlet said Holiday was the player who helped championship teams around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown, and argued that he should remain in Portland if the Blazers make a big summer trade. It called him a defensive force, a secondary creator on offense and a leader who sets the tone.

The site added that Avdija has recently become an All-Star and that the Trail Blazers appear to be preparing a significant move this summer to return to the title race. It noted rumors linking Portland to Jaylen Brown, and also mentioned interest in Antetokounmpo, though said a deal for the Milwaukee star seems unlikely because he wants to stay in the Eastern Conference.

The piece concluded that if Portland can pull off a major trade, Holiday is exactly the type of player the team should keep alongside Avdija and any other new star. Holiday is 36, but he still produced 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game in the regular season last year, plus 16.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists in the playoffs.