Superstar guard Damian Lillard is finally on the move. 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 Camara and draft picks in exchange as part of a three-team trade on Wednesday.
The Warriors were never willing to get Lillard. In fact, the superstar recently stated that he would rather lose every season than join Golden State. But ESPN’s Brian Windhorst speculated that Holiday, a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree, another All-Star involved in the trade, could move soon.
“Even the Warriors, who have interesting young players on their roster, as well as a few long-shot draft picks and swaps when Stephen Curry potentially retires, could join the race [to trade for Holiday]” wrote Windhorst. “Assuming they would be willing to trade Chris Paul, who members of the organization have praised for his offseason work to adapt.”
“Curry has never had a backcourt teammate like Paul, but he’s also never had a teammate with Holiday’s ability, and he’s five years younger.”
That’s an interesting thought. Holiday can change a playoff series as one of the best backcourt defenders in the league. His tenacity paired with the game’s best shooter, Curry, would make for a phenomenal one-two punch in the backcourt.
But to complete the trade, the Warriors would have to sign a lucrative contract like Paul, who is owed $30.8 million this season and has a non-guaranteed $30 million on the books next year. They also hope to re-sign Klay Thompson to a long-term deal early in his contract year. Adding holidays would only increase the luxury tax that the organization has struggled with in recent years.
Holiday has one year left on his contract and he will likely decline a player option for 2024-25. A contending team likely wouldn’t trade for him if they weren’t confident he’d sign a long-term deal, but Wednesday’s trade leaves him unable to sign a contract extension through the end of March.
However, Windhorst isn’t just speculating about Golden State. He also named the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings as teams that could potentially find a way to trade for Holiday.
The Trail Blazers are rebuilding. If they’re looking for a trade partner for the 33-year-old Holiday, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. could pick up the phone.
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