Grade the trade: Lakers snag Jrue Holiday with mock package
By Jason Reed
![MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 19: Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles up court during the first half of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum on March 19, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 - MARCH 19: Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles up court during the first half of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum on March 19, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/dce6c0ed2cad07d46e04c35a79910eff1b4bb81426a868ecaa6e0502f97d2ac1.jpg)
Los Angeles Lakers grade for this Jrue Holiday trade: A
Look, there are going to be fans that look at this and say that it is way too much for Holiday. I get that. But Holiday is a very valuable player in the playoffs and he is going to have a high price. Sending D’Lo, Hachimura, a recent first-round pick and a future first-round pick is a lot.
But this is the same guy who Milwaukee traded five first-round picks for. There is a reason why he is valued by these contending teams. Sure, his box score numbers may not jump off the page compared to D’Lo but he makes a massive difference.
Plus, all of the players that the Lakers are trading in this package are replaceable. D’Lo was unplayable in the Western Conference Finals and Holiday would be a massive improvement. Hachimura was a nice scoring threat but the team has the likes of Christian Wood and Taurean Prince, who combined can make up for the loss of Hachimura’s scoring. JHS isn’t even going to play a role on this year’s team as a rookie.
This would give the Lakers a closing lineup of Holiday, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. That team can get buckets and would be a defensive menace.
Portland Trail Blazers grade for this Jrue Holiday trade: B-
Is this the absolute most that the Blazers could get for Holiday? Probably not. But considering what is actually out on the market, this is a better trade than Portland can do otherwise. The only thing that would be better is if one team significantly overpays or if there is a sleeper team that is not yet in the mix.
Russell is a non-factor and is just thrown into the trade as filler. He would likely opt out of his deal at the end of the season, giving Portland salary relief. The real addition is a nice scoring role player in Hachimura who fits nicely in this Portland rotation that could use a scoring wing. Hood-Schifino can be a bench combo guard who can develop alongside Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons.
That 2029 first-round pick is pretty valuable as well and is better than a pick in the late-20s that some other team might try to send in the 2024 NBA Draft.
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