Sixers To Take “Hard Look” At Point Guard Jrue Holiday In Free Agency
The Sixers could be considering bringing back guard Jrue Holiday this summer, reports Zach Lowe.
To take a step forward, sometimes you have to take a step back. This philosophy is what may be sparking the Sixers’ reported interest in bringing back former All-Star guard Jrue Holiday in free agency this summer. Zach Lowe states that the team will be taking a “hard look” at the guard this summer.
It would be wonderfully ironic if the Sixers brought back the man, who’s departure was the first major move in the Process, to head towards the completion of the rebuild. The signing makes all sorts of sense. Holiday’s prowess as a primary ball-handler, as well as his abilities off the ball make him the perfect complement to this rebuilding core.
He’s just 26-years old, and although battling through his fair share of injuries in his time with New Orleans, he has still proven to be an above average guard. This won’t be to relive the glory days of his seemingly short prime, but to put him on a team where he completes the core of a promising squad moving forward.
More from Philadelphia 76ers
- 3 Reasons the 76ers Should Poach Blake Griffin From the Celtics
- 3 Most Overpaid 76ers Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Ranking Daryl Morey’s 3 Biggest Mistakes with 76ers
- 3 Teams Crazy Enough to Trade for James Harden
- James Harden Putting Career in Jeopardy With Holdout Threat
This move would of course be dependent on the draft, but even with a top flight guard prospect selected, a move for Holiday is sensible. Prospects Markelle Fultz, Dennis Smith, Jr., Lonzo Ball, and Malik Monk all have the skills to become elite guards, but it will take some grooming. If the Sixers timeline continues to move at a alarmingly fast rate, Holiday will allow them to spring forward quickly as a starting guard.
But with the Sixers continuing a hot streak of basketball, many of those guard names could be out of reach. Not that being forced to pick between wings Jayson Tatum and Jonothan Isaac is necessarily torture, but it would leave the Philadelphia without that off-ball combo guard.
Holiday’s strengths go far beyond being a floor general, however every roster he’s been on is shaped to the way where controlling the offense benefits the team the most. Last season, Holiday connected on 35.9% of catch and shoot three-pointers. His length and quick shooting stroke allow him to become a nice off-ball threat.
This would allow Ben Simmons to assume his expected role as point forward. While Simmons as a primary ball handler is enticing, the need for a secondary ball handler is high. Look around the league to other point forwards. Giannis Antetokounmpo has himself a rotation of secondary ball handlers in Milwuakee. LeBron James has an extreme version of one in Kyrie Irving.
Signing Jrue Holiday does not take away from Simmons’ game, it may actually elevate it. Holiday can guard the tougher guard assignments, taking Simmons away from the perimeter. It will also give Simmons another scoring option on offense.
Next: Sixers Rebuild Not Affected By Expansion
This rekindled relationship, coupled with the potential top prospects, could be the final push towards the Sixers becoming competitive again in a manner of playoffs. Funny how a move to rid Holiday got Philadelphia to this point, and now a move to bring him back could be the final stage in a long and criticized rebuild.