The pieces in the NBA are being moved and it looks like an All-Star is heading out East to a contender. The New Orleans Pelicans have parted ways with Jrue Holiday and the price is a little steep. In exchange for the talented point guard, the Milwaukee Bucks are sending Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and three first round picks.
There are also pick swaps to go along with the first round picks.
New Orleans is nearing completion of a deal to send G Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and what's described as "significant" draft compensation, sources tell ESPN. Teams are still working through the picks in trade.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
Bucks are finalizing a package that includes three future first-round picks to the Pelicans in deal, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/7TYoogZHCD
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
Besides the three future first-round picks going to New Orleans, there are also pick swaps included in the deal, per sources. All in all, this is shaping up to be a draft compensation package similar to New Orleans' deal for Anthony Davis with Lakers. https://t.co/HbnLxzUI96
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
Here is the pick breakdown on the Jrue Holiday trade:
New Orleans receives
2020 1st (via IND)
2024 right to swap
2025 1st unprotected
2026 right to swap
2027 1st unprotected— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 17, 2020
With Holiday, the Bucks get an excellent two-way player, considering Jrue is known for his defensive presence on the perimeter. Not only that, but he can be an added spark on offense as well. This will be a big help for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
Bledsoe and Hill will definitely help Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, but what’s more important for the Pelicans is the war chest of picks they have.
At this point, they own the Lakers 2021 reverse lottery-protected pick, a Lakers 2023 first round pick swap, plus a swap in either 2024 or 2025. Now they add three first round picks from the Bucks, plus the Cleveland Cavs and Washington Wizards second round picks, as well as their own picks.
Pelicans’ 1st round draft picks:
2020: 13, 24 (MIL)
2021: own, LAL 8-30 protected (unprotected 2022)
2022: Own
2023: Own, LAL unprotected
2024: Own, right to swap w LAL in either 24 or 25, MIL swap
2025: Own, MIL unprotected
2026: Own, MIL swap
2027: Own, MIL unprotected— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) November 17, 2020
Whether they keep most of these future picks and build the squad or trade a number of them for an All-Star will be interesting to see.
Sources: The Bucks will pursue a sign-and-trade for Kings restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic. He'd be another huge addition following the addition of Jrue Holiday. The Hawks will also pursue Bogdanovic, but the Bucks can sell him on competing for a championship with Giannis.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 17, 2020
Bucks GM Jon Horst has reshaped his roster late Monday night, acquiring Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Giannis wanted to see some significant upgrades and it appears the franchise has delivered for him. Huge night for that franchise. Kings get Divincenzo, a real asset.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
For the Bucks, they were able to acquire Jrue Holiday without costing themselves any of their key core players. Three firsts and two pick swaps isn’t an immense price to pay with @Giannis_An34’s decision looming on signing his extension.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020