Pacers trade Aaron Holiday, No. 31 pick to Wizards for 22nd selection

Washington is adding some point guard reinforcements, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, who reports that the Wizards are sending the No. 22 draft pick they’re getting from the Lakers, 6-foot-10 Kentucky big man Isaiah Jackson, to the Pacers in exchange for point guard Aaron Holiday and the still-undrafted No. 31 selection (which the Pacers are set to acquire from the Bucks for two late second-round picks).

All three transactions have yet to be officially announced.

The Wizards have been quite active so far during the 2021 NBA draft. They agreed to acquire Los Angeles’ No. 22 pick, in addition to several veteran role players, in exchange for veteran point guard Russell Westbrook and two future second-round picks earlier on Thursday.

J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star, who has previously reported the Pacers’ Holiday trade talks, says the young point guard is “elated” by the move. The youngest Holiday brother playing in the NBA was supplanted by T.J. McConnell as the Pacers’ reserve point guard during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Still on his rookie contract for 2021-22, Holiday will have ample opportunity to get more run in Washington.

Michael adds that the Pacers are finished making moves in this draft with this move. The club also selected Oregon swingman Chris Duarte with its No. 13 selection. Michael also notes that he projects free agent McConnell as a “lock” to re-sign with Indiana now.