Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans is one of the top names in this year's free agent class. He had a bounce back year after a couple of injury-filled seasons. He will have a lot of options this summer but it appears his time with the Pelicans is over.
According to Jake Madison of Locked on Pelicans podcast, there is a conspiracy around the organization regarding Jrue Holiday. Madison noted that general manager Dell Demps and head coach Alvin Gentry have dropped hints on interviews about the future of the 26-year-old point guard.
"Maybe the decision on Holiday is already made. Maybe they know Holiday's not going to be re-signing with this team," Madison said.
Jrue Holiday missed the first couple of months of the season to take care of his wife, Lauren, who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. He went on to play 67 games and average 15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.5 steals.
The Pelicans will have several options in free agency besides Jrue Holiday at the point guard spot. A playmaker is vital in New Orleans since they need someone who can facilitate the ball to their twin towers, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.
If the Pelicans indeed decide to not pursue Jrue Holiday, he will have several suitors including the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks. The Sixers were already linked to Holiday, who spent his first four seasons in Philly before getting traded to New Orleans in exchange for Nerlens Noel.
On the other hand, the Knicks are going to be without a point guard with Derrick Rose also set to enter free agency. New York surely won't re-sign him because he underwent his fourth knee surgery since 2012. The Knicks need a playmaker and they can use Jrue's brother, Justin, as bait and convince them to play together in New York, per the New York Post.
Justin Holiday had a very solid season for the Knicks and he fits into the triangle offense very well. However, the Knicks are going to be a tough sell because of all the negative things that have happened with the franchise in the past couple of years.
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