Earlier this month, Jake Fischer reported on The Stein Line that the Portland Trail Blazers are expected to receive plenty of trade interest in Jrue Holiday this offseason. One reason they might bite is to open up more playing time for Scoot Henderson. The former third overall pick is coming off a postseason in which he averaged 15 points and nearly 1.0 steals per contest. He also knocked down 46.4 percent of the 5.4 threes he hoisted.
The Trail Blazers are also anticipating the return of franchise icon Damian Lillard next season. He returned to the Pacific Northwest last summer. The nine-time All-Star missed the 2025-26 campaign while rehabbing a torn Achilles. However, he should be ready for the start of next season.
So, how will Portland sort out its backcourt?
If Holiday has his way, it won't include trading the former Boston Celtics guard.
"I hope so,"Â Holiday said at his exit interview while addressing speculation about his NBA future. "I don't like being traded and moved and stuff. I like being a part of something and building with a team, and seeing the progress and going through the progress with them. So, I hope so. I'd love to be here."
The Trail Blazers should grant Jrue Holiday's request
The two-time All-Star's new team knew what it was getting when it struck a deal with the Celtics to acquire him in exchange for Anfernee Simons. He's a leader and one of the most respected voices in every locker room he has been a part of.
Holiday has also built a career that may one day have him enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. That includes helping the Milwaukee Bucks lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy before aiding Boston's journey to the NBA summit.
And as he demonstrated this season, he remains impactful at both ends of the floor. In his 17th NBA campaign, he shook off health issues to generate 16.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. He converted on 37.8 percent of the 6.8 threes he launched.
Holiday was an ideal veteran to help guide Portland's promising young core on and off the court. That continued through the play-in tournament and into the postseason.
He still has two years and $72 million left on his contract. That includes a $37.2 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. And he will turn 36 in June. However, the Trail Blazers can find plenty of minutes for Henderson alongside Holiday and Lillard. That's especially true while pacing those two during the regular season.
And if they pull off a summer blockbuster, like trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, then it's best to have Holiday on board. So, while they will likely receive compelling offers for the latter's services, Portland should keep those in-house.
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