Jrue Holiday at No. 26 fuels Blazers backcourt trade talk
Jrue Holiday ranks No. 26 among HoopsHype’s top 27 NBA point guards for 2026-27, the first of three Portland Trail Blazers on the list. His two-way impact and playoff push keep him elite, even as a crowded backcourt raises trade questions before tip-off. The ranking, voted on by HoopsHype staff and written by Frank Urbina, puts the 36-year-old veteran ahead of many younger floor generals while sitting behind teammates Damian Lillard (No. 17) and Ja Morant (No. 20).
Key Takeaways
- Jrue Holiday checks in at No. 26 on HoopsHype’s 2026-27 point guard rankings.
- Holiday averaged 16.3 points and 6.1 assists last season while shooting 37.8% from three.
- Portland also landed Morant at No. 20 and Lillard at No. 17; Scoot Henderson was omitted.
- HoopsHype says three Blazers on the list suggests at least one could be traded.
- Yahoo Sports notes coach Micah Nori must balance minutes across a stacked guard group.
Where does Jrue Holiday rank among NBA point guards for 2026-27?
According to HoopsHype’s annual position rankings, Holiday slots at No. 26. Urbina highlighted jack-of-all-trades dependability: scoring, creating, and defending that helped Portland reach the playoffs in a tumultuous 2025-26 season.
Holiday made the Blazers nearly 10 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the floor. His 2026-27 salary is listed at $34.8 million. Those numbers explain why HoopsHype still views him among the league’s top 27 lead guards.
Why does Portland’s stacked backcourt raise trade talk?
Holiday is the first of three Blazers on the countdown. Urbina wrote that depth “leads us to believe at least one of them could be on the move, either before the season or by the trade deadline.” Blazer’s Edge noted Scoot Henderson’s omission as bulletin-board material while Morant, Lillard, and Holiday made the cut.
Yahoo Sports framed the logjam for new coach Micah Nori: Morant, Lillard, Holiday, and Henderson sharing a backcourt after Portland acquired Morant from Memphis for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Morant averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists in a limited 2025-26 sample; Lillard is returning from a torn Achilles suffered April 27, 2025.
What would a Holiday move mean for the Blazers?
It does not mean Portland must deal someone before opening night. Yahoo Sports stressed that depth can cushion injury risk while Lillard rehab continues and Morant and Henderson manage availability questions. Still, if Lillard’s comeback sticks and Morant stays healthy, minutes and touches will tighten.
HoopsHype called the Morant-Lillard pairing a potential “League Pass darling” storyline. Holiday’s proven two-way value keeps him central—whether he stays as Portland’s glue or becomes the clearest trade chip. For more viral sports and culture coverage, browse Future Tech & AI Wonders on BlasterPost.