Anthony Davis reiterated this week that he has no plans to leave the Pelicans, and now that he’s settling in for a long-term stay in New Orleans, the former No. 1 overall pick is working on making sure one of his most talented teammates sticks around in a while. As ESPN’s Marc Stein writes, Davis said on Thursday that he intends to be “very involved” in trying to persuade Jrue Holiday to re-sign with the Pelicans this summer.
“I’m doing that right now,” Davis said. “I talk to Jrue all the time. He’ll make his own decisions, but of course we like him here. … We need him to continue to play well and then, at the end of the season, hopefully he decides to re-sign with us.”
Although the Pelicans have had a disappointing season overall, they’ve played much better when Holiday has been in the lineup, going 21-21 with him and 2-13 without him. A .500 record for the season would put New Orleans in playoff position in the Western Conference, but currently the club is vying with a handful of teams for the No. 8 seed.
Unlike Davis, who is under team control through at least the 2019/20 season, Holiday will have the opportunity to hit the open market this July, and could decide to join a new team at that point. While it’s a little early to identify a list of potential suitors for the veteran point guard, the Sixers are believed to be interested in reacquiring him, and Philadelphia should have a good chunk of cap room available in the offseason. Our list of 2017 free agents by position features several intriguing point guards, though marquee players like Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, and Kyle Lowry are considered very unlikely to change teams.
Holiday, 26, is enjoying one of this best seasons as a pro in 2016/17, shooting a career-high 46.8% from the field and 39.3% from three-point range. He’s also averaging 16.3 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 1.6 SPG in 42 games.
No way Holiday leaves if he is being lobbied by Davis.
I think back and wonder how:
Jrue Holiday
Eric Gordon
Tyreke Hill
Ryan Anderson
Anthony Davis
Wasn’t a better team, in the days of floor spacing and 3 point shooting that lineup could’ve been crazy. I feel like all they needed was chemistry and time
Edit: Time to be healthy together, at once
Tyreke Evans*
Thanks, Haha VVVVV
If you’re thinking about Tyreek Hill from the KC Chiefs than that would be scary he would be running around everywhere on the fast break
Tyreke Hill is a great receiver but I dont think he played small forward for the Pelicans.
Hahahaha you guys are right! Must’ve had a quick flashback to my 14-2 fantasy team. Thanks for the correction
Forget that Jrue,come back to Philly!!