But they may have to part with a newly acquired player to make it work.
It may be a longshot, but anything is possible.
According to an article by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Golden State Warriors are a possible trade destination for Jrue Holiday, who was recently traded to Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team megadeal that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee BucksJusuf Nurkić to Phoenix Sunsand Deandre Ayton of the Trail Blazers.
Here’s what Windhorst had to say about a potential trade with the Warriors for Holiday:
“Even the Golden State Warriorswith interesting young players on their roster, plus some long draft picks and swaps when Stephen Curry can be retired, can join the race. If they are willing to trade again Chris Paulwho was praised by members of the organization for his work in the offseason in trying to fit in. Curry doesn’t quite have a backcourt partner like Paul, but he also doesn’t have a partner with Holiday’s skill set, and he’s five years younger.
There is no concrete or indication that it will come true. In a theoretical package, the Warriors may need to include a couple of first-round picks and pick swaps – as Windhorst mentioned above – and maybe one of Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody to get to Holiday.
In a scenario where they manage to get him, Holiday would be a great fit. He is arguably the best perimeter defender in the NBA, with three NBA All-Defensive First Team selections (2018, 2021, 2023) and two All-Defensive Second Team selections (2019, 2022). He was also an All-Star last season, fueled by better offensive numbers during the regular season: 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists on a 48/38/86 shooting split and 58.6% TS.
Holiday’s versatility on defense — he can lock down quick perimeter guards and switch to bigger players in the frontcourt — could make him a big help as a backcourt partner to Stephen Curry, as well. a perfect complement to Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins. The three of them will be a strong defensive trio.
Holiday – who shot 38% last season from beyond the arc – has been a league-average three-point shooter throughout his career. It might be enough for him to do on lines involving one or two non-shooters. With the likes of Curry and Thompson on the team, he doesn’t have to shoulder the ball-making responsibilities, which isn’t his strongest suit in a half-court setting.
But it may not be possible for the Warriors to get Holiday. Paul made a commitment to match, at least if early reports are to be believed. The Warriors may want to stick with him and rely on the offense to fit in instead of dismissing him immediately without seeing how the union plays out.
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