“I do have indications that they are looking at a lot,” Amick said of the Kings offseason plans. “I don’t know how much they are going to overhaul the roster but I think they are looking at big stuff and small stuff. The point guard pursuit is very real. I don’t know where they will land on that front. It’s kind of, ‘If only Jrue Holiday was five years younger’ type thing. I think that type of option has been considered and explored, but is imperfect because of his age.”
The Kings traded away star point guard De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs back in February, creating a massive void for the team in the backcourt. With no true point guard on the roster for next year and plenty of offensive-minded guards and wings under contract (Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan), a need for a player like Holiday is real.
Holiday’s age and salary makes the fit a bit tricky for Sacramento, a team that took a step back last season and has a new general manager in Scott Perry. The Kings could look elsewhere for a point guard on the free agent market or via trade if they aren’t willing to absorb Holiday’s big long-term deal or opt for a younger option. .
If the Kings end up trying to work out a deal with Boston for Holiday, a simple construction could be based around DeMar DeRozan ($24.5 million) and salary filler, which would fit the financial parameters. DeRozan is reportedly available in trade talks, but it’s difficult to envision him being an ideal fit for the Celtics offensive system given his career arc of living the midrange offensively.
A potential answer to that problem could be some type of 3-team construction, with DeRozan making his way to a third team with Boston taking back lesser salary or draft assets and Holiday heading to the Kings. Whether there are enough parts changing hands to satisfy all parties involved is another matter.
Either way, look for Holiday trade rumors to continue to swirl with the NBA Draft approaching on June 25.
