Should the Los Angeles Lakers pursue Jrue Holiday or Victor Oladipo?

By Jason Reed | Nov 5, 2020

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 21: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers drives against Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 21, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Victor Oladipo vs. Jrue Holiday, defensively

This is what makes these two players really exciting. The Los Angeles Lakers were a fantastic defensive team last season and that defense is what guided them throughout the NBA Playoffs. The Lakers stopped every offense that previous teams simply could not stop.

Oladipo and Holiday are both great defenders and would fit in quite nicely in Frank Vogel’s scheme. Both players can guard points guards up to small forward and can do so successfully. Holiday has made the All-Defensive Team twice (one first team, one second team) while Oladipo has made the All-Defensive First Team once.

Holiday is averaging 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game over the last three seasons while Oladipo is averaging two steals and 0.6 blocks. When we dive into the analytical numbers, it is clear that Oladipo has a higher defensive ceiling.

At his best, Oladipo has recorded a 1.7 defensive box plus-minus in a season while Holiday has never recorded more than 0.9. Holiday’s highest defensive win shares in a season were 3.5 (10 years ago) while Oladipo posted 4.0 defensive win shares just three seasons ago.

Oladipo is one inch taller than Holiday and is a bit longer, owning a wingspan that is two inches longer. At his best, he is the better defender but Holiday is no slouch either and there are other important factors that we must consider.

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