Does Jrue Holiday fit this New Orleans Pelicans timeline?

As the New Orleans Pelicans continue transitioning from the Anthony Davis to Zion Williamson era, should Jrue Holiday be considered a permanent fixture?

For the New Orleans Pelicans, last summer was all about what they could receive in a trade for Anthony Davis, as they prepared for the rebuild that would follow. Then, they became the luckiest team in basketball, landing the number one pick and thus, Zion Williamson.

A generational talent, the former Duke product was the talk of college basketball for the entire season. Before setting foot on an NBA floor, he was already being tied to names like LeBron James, and Blake Griffin, two former first overall picks and perennial All-Stars.

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Suddenly, the Pelicans binders filled with plans for rebuilding became material for storage. With Williamson, New Orleans was bound to compete. The basketball gods had other plans, however, as the first overall pick suffered an injury that delayed his NBA debut until January.

Williamson played just 19 games for New Orleans before the season was suspended to the COVID-19 outbreak. Once the rust wore off, it was clear that he’s got a promising future in the league. He posted 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in that span.

Now, his promising rookie season may already be in the rearview. We have yet to know when and if the regular season will resume. It’s quite possible that only the playoff teams will finish out the 2019-2020 campaign in order to crown a champion.

With that in mind, the Pelicans have to begin planning for what will be his true inaugural NBA season in the 2020-2021 campaign. Among the glaring questions they face with their current roster, the largest sits at point guard with Jrue Holiday.

The 11-year veteran posted 19.6 points, 6.9 assists and 1.7 steals this season, but his future fit with this Pelicans core is hard to determine. And that starts with his age.

The 2-time All-NBA defensive team guard is 29 years old. After what we’ve seen from the core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson over just a 19-game span; are we sure the Pelicans will be ready to compete next season, or even the following?

If you remove Holiday, the average age of this Pelicans roster next year is just 25. Remove 35-year old JJ Redick, and it’s just 23 years old and change. The players New Orleans is committing to as franchise cornerstones won’t be hitting their primes for another two to three years, minimum.

Which makes the logical approach trading away Holiday and his $26 million salary, while his value remains sky-high. Multiple teams will no doubt come calling with offers based on young talent and first-round picks. Most recently, the Denver Nuggets reportedly inquired about his availability.

Ingram’s restricted free agency this summer may ultimately force the Pelicans’ hand. He’s expected to be offered and paid a max contract in order to remain in New Orleans. Add in Holiday’s current salary, Ball’s upcoming extension, Zion’s future and woof–that’s a tall budget.

Having Holiday around, even as a stand-up locker room veteran, will only be detrimental to the New Orleans Pelicans potential progress in the on-court development of this core. Getting draft picks or more young help for their in-house “Big 3” has to be the top priority.

Simply put, Holiday just doesn’t fit the timeline or direction the Pelicans have found themselves on. They may have won it all in drafting Zion, but this tough decision will be the first of many ramifications that stem from serving as home to the first overall pick.