While most Minnesota Timberwolves fans are hoping the team trades for a bona fide star guard like Kyrie Irving (count me in this camp), a move to this level might not be in the cards. Still, there's no denying that the Wolves need another ball-handler alongside Anthony Edwards.Â
How about Jrue Holiday?Â
Ideally, the Wolves can trade for a guard who can play on or off the ball, playmake, and defend. The Timberwolves could have trouble finding someone who provides this skill set, but the soon-to-be 36-year-old offers exactly what the Wolves need, and given Holiday's age, he could be a realistic trade target.
It's worth noting that Portland Trail Blazers writer Reese Kunz believes there's a chance that Holiday is moved again.Â
What's more is that due to their time together with the New Orleans Pelicans, Holiday and Chris Finch have an established relationship. Finch has openly praised Holiday for his off-ball abilities (a skill the Wolves could use).
"Jrue Holiday is the best player I have ever coached without the ball in his hands," Finch said during an interview with MinnPost. "(He) cuts, spaces, reads the floor, screens, creates offense for others."
Even beyond this quote, Holiday embodies everything that Finch values, most notably high-IQ playmaking, tenacious defense, and selfless play.Â
Now, Finch's relationship with Holiday won't magically cause Tim Connelly to pull off a trade for the two-time NBA Champion. However, it's not impossible to see a world in which Finch advocates for the Wolves to pursue Holiday on the open market, and a move happens.
Jrue Holiday would fit like a glove with the Timberwolves
Holiday is the definition of a winning player. Whether it's elite (and versatile) perimeter defense, playmaking, rebounding, spot-up shooting, or shot creation, Holiday gives you a little bit of everything.Â
It's not a coincidence that Holiday proved to be the final championship piece to the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. Why can't he be the final piece for the Wolves?Â
Despite his advanced age, Holiday is coming off a year where he averaged 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists on 45.1/37.8/83.8 shooting splits.Â
At this stage of his career, Holiday is no longer a high-end second option. However, he can scale up and provide second-option-level production if need be. Should they trade for Holiday, the Wolves could function with a second-option-by-committee approach.Â
Holiday surely wouldn't interfere with the growth of Jaden McDaniels or Ayo Dosunmu. Likewise, Holiday can spot-up when Ant operates in isolation, all while being able to alleviate some of the ball-handling and playmaking duties. Having someone with lead playmaking chops has been a clear need for the Wolves since Mike Conley began to decline.
Even if he's on the older side, Holiday checks so many of the boxes that the Wolves need, and if they strike out on a high-end star, he'd be a great pivot.Â
Why Holiday is a realistic trade target
Nailing down the specifics of a Holiday-Wolves trade is tricky. Does Rudy Gobert fit with the Blazers, given the promise that Donovan Clingan has shown in his young career? Probably not. And does Julius Randle fit alongside rising star Deni Avdija? I doubt it, unless he changes his playstyle.Â
Maybe it's a three-team trade. It sounds far-fetched, but it can't be ruled out.
Last summer, we saw Holiday be traded for Anfernee Simons. While Holiday showed some signs of a rejuvenated offensive game with Portland, given his age, he should still be a realistic trade target for the Wolves.
Holiday's contract ($72 million over the next two years) offers some cause for pause, given his age. That's a primary reason why he could be on the trade block. It certainly helps Minnesota that the new Blazers owner, Tom Dundon, is fond of saving money. On top of this, with Damian Lillard returning and Scoot Henderson showing some promise, the Blazers could be open to moving Holiday.Â
Ultimately, Holiday is a realistic trade target for the Wolves, who would fill in so many gaps for the team.Â
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