With the Chicago Bulls in the midst of a bizarre rebuilding season, it makes complete sense that the team’s veterans would be available in trade scenarios. On Thursday evening, one of those veterans was reportedly moved, as word broke that starting swingman Justin Holiday is on his way to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Bulls are trading Justin Holiday to Memphis for draft picks, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 4, 2019
Reported details on the deal include a package of MarShon Brooks, Wayne Selden and a pair of second-round picks heading to Chicago as part of the swap.
Memphis is trading Marshon Brooks and Wayne Selden and two second-round picks to Chicago for Justin Holiday, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 4, 2019
Memphis is sending its own 2019 and 2020 second-round picks in deal, per source. https://t.co/bKgNquYP5H
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 4, 2019
Holiday is currently operating on an expiring contract worth $4.38 million this season, whereas Brooks and Selden combine to make just north of $3 million total. While there could be some value in the future with a player like Selden, Chicago is likely targeting the picks as assets to build with moving forward and Holiday profiles as a potential two-way threat for a team in the Grizzlies angling for a playoff run.
Since joining the Bulls before the 2017-18 season, Holiday has taken on an expanded role, averaging double figures in scoring for the first time in his career. Beyond that, Holiday brings value as a solid three-point marksman (36 percent over the last two seasons) and he brings defensive aptitude to the table for a team searching for depth at this juncture.
In the grand scheme, the addition of Justin Holiday won’t make major waves in the NBA but, in short, the Grizzlies improved on Thursday evening and the Bulls returned some value in the process.