The Lakers are very concerned about Holiday s situation. He is an ideal partner around James and Doncic?

According to local Dallas media reporter Grant Afseth, several league sources revealed to him that backcourt veteran Jrue Holiday, who was just sent to the Portland Trail Blazers by the Boston Celtics in a trade, has become a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers, and he is also a name that the Lakers are focusing on.

Afseth also said that the emergence of this news does not mean that the Lakers and the Trail Blazers have begun negotiations, but Holiday is a name that continues to be mentioned in the circle when the Lakers evaluate how to build a team around LeBron James and Luka Doncic. In addition to the Lakers, many other teams are also paying attention to Holiday's situation, but if the Trail Blazers seek a trade to leave Holiday, the Lakers are generally considered one of the most suitable next players. Grant Afseth continued: The Lakers are considered the most qualified team to pursue Holiday, with players who can trade such as Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber, who have expired contracts with cumulative wages of more than $40.7 million. By sending these players away, the Lakers can complete the transaction without touching the core lineup. Although the Lakers successfully signed Marcus Smart, the Lakers still need to improve their competitiveness on the outside.

In the NBA regular season last season, Holiday played a total of 62 games due to injuries in 82 games, averaging 30.6 minutes per game, averaging 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks, and 1.2 turnovers and 1.6 fouls, shooting percentage of 44.3%, three-point shooting percentage of 35.3%, and free throw shooting percentage of 90.9%. In the playoffs, Holiday made 8 appearances in total, with averaging 33 minutes per game, with averaging 9.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.1 blocks. He also had 2 turnovers and 3.1 fouls. His shooting percentage was 48.3%, his three-point shooting percentage was 34.6%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 69.2%.

Holiday's performance last season was not too bad, he could still play some role. The problem is that his current contract has three years left to expire, his salary for next season is $32.4 million, his salary for 2026-27 season is $34.8 million, his salary for 2027-28 season is $37.2 million, and it is also a player option. Holiday's ability and performance are somewhat inconsistent with his salary. In comparison, his salary is obviously too high, and his contract period is also too long, which will affect his market conditions. Of course, considering that the value of these expiring contracts of the Lakers is very limited, if they want to get Holiday, they have to take advantage of some future draft picks. Are the Lakers willing to gain some future assets for Holiday?