Report: Jrue Holiday considered most coveted trade target

New Orleans Pelicans G Jrue Holiday has emerged as the most coveted trade target on the market ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Friday. Holiday has been the talk of trade rumors for a few months now leading up to the deadline. He’s most likely standing pat given the Pelicans are healthy and chasing the No. 8 seed in the West.

Per Shams, Holiday has made it clear he’s happy in New Orleans and wants to stay put. Holiday has been playing in a crowded back court that features young players in Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. There are also veterans JJ Redick and E’Twaun Moore, so a lot of mouthes to feed. Still, Holiday is the most experienced and most talented of that bunch and NOLA could use him if the team does make a playoff push.

It’d be surprising if GM David Griffin opted to deal Holiday, but there are contenders who are pushing for him. The Nuggets and Heat are sourced in the report, and if an amazing offer came around, I can’t see why Griffin wouldn’t budge. The Pelicans aren’t contenders now, but with how Brandon Ingram and Williamson have played in a short sample, New Orleans should be among the Western Conference elite soon.