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3 reasons Raptors must trade for Jrue Holiday after Damian Lillard miss

By Mike Luciano

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 05: Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks over the defense during the first half of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum on January 05, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Raptors defeated the Bucks 117-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 05: Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks over the defense during the first half of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum on January 05, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Raptors defeated the Bucks 117-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors had a chance to become a championship contender by throwing caution to the wind and trading for Damian Lillard. Instead, Masai Ujiri had to watch as the Portland Trail Blazers assembled a three-team deal that sent Dame to the Milwaukee Bucks and brought Deandre Ayton and Jrue Holiday up north.

There is almost no chance that Holiday, fresh off averaging 19.3 points and 7.4 assists per game in an All-Star season, remains in Portland, as they are full steam ahead with the Scoot Henderson parade. Holiday could help multiple teams out there, and the Raptors would be foolish to let the chance to add a star like him pass them by.

While Holiday can’t be traded away with other contracts for the next two months, that shouldn’t necessarily deter the Raptors from trying to get a deal together for him. Even at 33 years old, Holiday is playing arguably the best basketball of an excellent, long career.

Toronto may have missed out on Lillard, but getting Holiday makes too much sense for a team that is ostensibly trying everything to win this season. Shams Charania reported that Toronto might have some interest in Holiday, and they need to follow through on that.

3 reasons the Toronto Raptors must trade for Jrue Holiday.

3. Holiday would start at PG

The Raptors’ starting point guard spot is still the subject of some debate, as the decision between a more traditional finished product in Dennis Schroder and the risky upside play in Scottie Barnes could be pivotal for Toronto’s chances of success in 2023. Why not scrap both ideas and start Jrue instead?

Holiday would come in and be the No. 2 scoring option immediately while eventually seceding shots and points to Scottie Barnes as he comes into his own. Schroder can still help the bench take over while Holiday provides All-Star production as a starter.

The Toronto Raptors could get a star PG in Jrue Holiday.

Holiday has not only become a solid scorer over the course of his career with Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New Orleans, but he remains a tremendous passer who has averaged a very respectable 6.5 assists per game over the course of a very long career.

Holiday isn’t going to score like Lillard, but his ability to be effective as a second option who can defer to a player like Siakam will make him a very solid fit. The return package for him remains to be seen, but they should pounce on him if he can be had for a reasonable price.

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