Jrue Holiday, UFA
Position: Point Guard
Age: 26 (6/12/1990)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .455/.370/.698
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.0 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 7.2 APG, 4.0 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 1.6 3PM
It’s been reported on multiple occasions that New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson is interested in signing Jrue Holiday. That interest has spanned over multiple seasons, which could imply that Jackson has been waiting for his free agency to arrive.
If the Knicks determine that re-signing Rose and drafting a point guard aren’t the ideal options, Holiday could be the team’s top target.
Holiday was an All-Star in 2013 and continues to provide a strong two-way presence at point guard. The 26-year-old does a bit of everything on the offensive end of the floor and holds his own as a quality on-ball defender.
That much is proven by Holiday’s well-rounded season averages, as well as his ranking of No. 3 amongst point guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus.
Considering the only two point guards who rate better than Holiday in Defensive RPM are Chris Paul and Patrick Beverley, it’s safe to trust his defensive proficiency. That alone is reason to consider signing him to a long-term deal in 2017.
Injuries must be taken into account with Holiday, but he has an outstanding combination of size, defensive proficiency, court vision, finishing ability, and 3-point range.