NBA Personnel View Los Angeles Lakers as Logical Landing Spot for Portland Trail Blazers’ Jrue Holiday

NBA personnel view the Los Angeles Lakers as a logical landing spot for Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, according to NBA insider Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com.

The Trail Blazers acquired Holiday from the Boston Celtics in the Anfernee Simons trade.

Holiday will make $32.4 next season.

“Multiple sources recently told FastbreakJournal.com that Jrue Holiday is a name to monitor, particularly as a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers,” Afseth wrote. “That’s not to say active conversations are taking place, but his name continues to surface in NBA circles as the team evaluates options to add more talent around LeBron James and Luka Dončić. 

“Other teams are monitoring the situation, though the Lakers are widely viewed as one of the most natural fits if Portland explores a deal.”

Holiday, who helped the Celtics win the 2024 championship against the Dallas Mavericks, averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 62 games for Boston last season. The two-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion shot 44.3% from the field, 35.3% from beyond the arc and 90.9% from the free-throw line. 

The 35-year-old Holiday was born in California. He played college basketball at UCLA.

The Celtics were supposed to get two draft picks from the Trail Blazers in the Holiday deal, but Portland saw something in Holiday’s physical and decided not to send Boston draft picks for the veteran.

“Another factor is health,” Afseth wrote. “Sources say Holiday’s trade to Portland was delayed before becoming official due to a red flag in his physical. The original deal reportedly included two second-round picks being sent to Boston, but the Celtics ultimately received no draft compensation. Knee-related concerns are common knowledge among rival teams when evaluating Holiday’s availability.”

Holiday has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics. He has career averages of 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists. 

The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. They have signed Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart this offseason.