The New Orleans Pelicans officially announced the trade of Jrue Holiday on Tuesday, thus ending his decorated tenure with the franchise. On top of the All-Star game appearance and All-NBA and All-Defense selections, Holiday integrated himself within the franchise and city.
Perhaps the most appropriate summation of Holiday’s time was him being awarded the Teammate of the Year trophy after the 2019-20 season. The former UCLA guard established himself as one of the best people in the organization and league, let alone one of the best players as well.
All of that made the trade particularly tough on fans and Holiday alike as he released a statement to not just the Pelicans but New Orleans on social media on Wednesday.
Thank you, New Orleans! ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/vmjZPP8xUv
— Jrue Holiday (@Jrue_Holiday11) November 25, 2020
The full transcript of the statement:
Thank you New Orleans,
In my mind, you can always judge people in how they react to when you are at your toughest point. Through all my family’s challeges four years ago, the entire Pelicans’ organization and the city of New Orleans always had my back and had my family’s back. The fans throughout the beautiful city of New Orleans always had our back. We love New Orleans, and you loved us back more than we could have ever dreamed of. New Orleans will always hold a special place in our hearts. I am forever grate for every minute my family and I have spent with you. A special thanks to Mrs. B., the entire Pelicans’ organization top to bottom, and most important, to every fan throughout the Bayou.
Above Love,
The challenges Holiday references involved his wife, Lauren, being diagnosed with a brain tumor during her pregnancy in 2016. The franchise allowed Holiday to take an indefinite leave to be with his wife as he ultimately missed the first 12 games of the 2016-17 season.
Last season, Holiday served more as a mentor for a young Pelicans team that entered a rebuild with the trade of Anthony Davis. Still, his reputation helped land the team veteran guard JJ Redick and Holiday helped push the team toward the playoffs late in the season.
Unlike the most recent departure of a star from the franchise, Holiday’s exit was handled with grace by both sides.
