With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to make their debut as teammates next season, the Brooklyn Nets are seeking a “defensive stopper” and have interest in New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
While opposing stars such as Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal and Detroit Pistons power forward Blake Griffin recently have been linked to the Nets, Holiday is a more realistic option — and perhaps a more-needed one as well.
“Once Durant and Irving take the court, the Nets could have a potent offense but problematic defense,” Lewis wrote. “They knew that even before hiring Steve Nash. The Post has detailed their interest in Holiday, and now ESPN has reported it dates since February’s trade deadline, when they held discussions with the Pelicans.”
Holiday, 30, was a key member of a Pelicans alongside younger and more-celebrated youngsters such as Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
Holiday averaged 19.1 points and 6.7 assists last season, shooting shooting 46 percent from the field and 35 percent on 3-pointers. He is widely considered one of the NBA’s best defenders, locking up everyone from opposing point guards to power forwards.
Lewis’ report seconded an earlier story by Christian Clark of the New Orleans Advocate, who also called the Nets a potential trade partner for Holiday.
The NBA moratorium on trades is expected to be lifted within the next several weeks, perhaps before the Nov. 18 draft.
