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Rumor: Lakers Viewed As Logical Landing Spot For Trail Blazers’ Jrue Holiday

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 7:03 PM ET

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

The Boston Celtics traded Holiday to the Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons on July 7.

Holiday was born in California. He played college basketball at UCLA in 2008-09.

“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 averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Celtics last season while shooting 44.3% from the field, 35.3% from beyond the arc and 90.9% from the free-throw line. The two-time All-Star started 62 games.

Boston beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games but lost to the New York Knicks in the conference semifinals in six games.

Holiday averaged 9.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists against the Magic and Knicks. He shot 48.3 overall, 34.6% from 3 and 69.2% from the foul line.

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 in the NBA.

The fiesty defender won the 2021 title with the Bucks and the 2024 championship with the Celtics.

The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 postseason in five games despite having Dončić, LeBron and home-court advantage.

Los Angeles president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka has made three moves in free agency thus far, signing Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart.