Los Angeles Lakers: Why a Jrue Holiday trade makes perfect sense

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers react to a play during the second half at Staples Center on February 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers react to a play during the second half at Staples Center on February 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

2. There is a good chance that the Los Angeles Lakers will be short on point guards

No position on the Los Angeles Lakers is as up in the air as the point guard position. Right now, the only legitimate point guard that we know for sure is going to be on the roster is Quinn Cook. You could include Alex Caruso, but I count him more as a two-guard than a point guard.

Rajon Rondo is opting out of his contract and testing free agency, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is following suit and we have no idea what Avery Bradley’s plan is for next season.

Bradley did not re-join the Lakers in the Orlando bubble due to family health concerns. The coronavirus pandemic is unfortunately not going to suddenly go away by the time next season starts, so we do not even know if he will play.

That leaves a gaping hole at the point guard position and the Los Angeles Lakers may need someone who can play big minutes there. Holiday is that guy. He is the guy that can carry the load with the bench unit and stagger minutes with LeBron James. He can help fill that cap with 30 minutes a night at the one.

This is not a case of there being a potential trade target and the Lakers needing to force him in. There is a hole on the roster already established for someone who fits pretty well stylistically.