The Milwaukee Bucks haven't been the same since trading Jrue Holiday. Not all of that is solely due to his absence, but it has certainly played a part. If Holiday hits the trade market this summer, the Bucks cannot swing a deal for the player who helped them win a title and then hope he suddenly becomes a band-aid for all their issues. He would not be.
Teams will be monitoring Holiday's status
After Portland's playoff exit, NBA insider Jake Fischer (subscription required) reports that Holiday is expected to generate "plenty of" external trade interest. That doesn't mean it's a guarantee, but as Fischer notes, moving Holiday could open up more backcourt opportunities for Scoot Henderson, the rising youngster, alongside Damian Lillard.
If the Trail Blazers legitimately dangle Holiday in discussions, the Bucks would almost certainly call, especially as they try to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay. Per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Giannis has told Holiday how much the Bucks have missed his defense and leadership since trading him away before the 2023-24 NBA season. Fair. That doesn't mean they should trade for him, though.
Holiday could help, but he's not the magic fix
Jrue Holiday would be welcomed back in Milwaukee with open arms. He helped this team reach new heights during the Giannis era and will never be forgotten for that. Yet, from a team-building point of view, he's not the perfect fit for the roster moving forward. This team needs to focus more on depth and youth rather than on aging big names at the top of the payroll.
If Holiday accepts his 2027-28 player option, he will have $72 million left on his contract over the next two seasons. That is a lot of money for a player who is about to be 36 years old and whose numbers have declined since his Milwaukee Bucks departure. He could help, but the guard wouldn't have the same impact he did when the team first got him in 2020.
Furthermore, Portland also likely isn't doing Milwaukee any favors this summer. Per Fischer, they are expected to chase Giannis Antetokounmpo themselves this summer. Keeping Jrue Holiday could give them leverage, making them a more desirable landing spot for the Greek Freak as he ponders his NBA future.
The Milwaukee Bucks should be looking at players who could be a part of their long-term plans as young building blocks.
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