Golden State Warriors Trade Rumors: 3 reasons Jrue Holiday is the perfect target

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 03: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 03, 2020 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)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 03: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 03, 2020 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)
(Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images)

Defense

Jrue Holiday is one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and there’s really no question about it.

Holiday has averaged over a steal and a half per game in nine of his eleven seasons in the NBA. If that’s not enough, the 6-foot-3 guard has also totaled over 40 blocks in his last four consecutive seasons.

Along with having positive defensive win shares in each of those 11 seasons along with five of those seasons outperforming his offensive wins hares, Holiday has shown consistently that he can lock up the opponent’s best player.

Adding him to a star-studded backcourt that contains five-time All-Star Klay Thompson, who, at 6-foot-6, could easily slide to the three, would create a powerful defensive front led by former DPOY Draymond Green.

Holiday has made the All-Defensive team twice.

Among the most competitive guards in the league, Holiday led the Pelicans defensively this season and was a major part of the reason why they were able to stay in the playoff race despite Zion Williamson missing the bulk of the season.