The idea of Jrue Holiday landing on the buyout market is looking a lot less realistic after Portland took a hit to its backcourt.
Miami Heat fans may have been dreaming on it. Philadelphia 76ers fans surely were too. But with Shaedon Sharpe now sidelined, the Trail Blazers suddenly need Holiday even more than they did before.
Jeff Teague had already stoked the conversation, saying he’d take the Heat over the Sixers now that they’ve signed Klay Thompson. He also made the case that Miami should be the team to watch if Holiday ever became available.
“Don’t let Jrue Holiday get a buyout and go to Miami. We (Heat) the best team in the East, competing with the Knicks”
The problem for those hoping for an easy path to Holiday is Portland’s current reality. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Sharpe recently suffered a torn meniscus and is expected to miss six months.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe sustained a torn meniscus in his knee and is expected to miss six months, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Gvhf84bNrc
- Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 24, 2026
That’s a brutal setback for Sharpe, who averaged a career-high 20.8 points last season even while appearing in 22 fewer games than he did in the 2024-25 campaign. At 23, the London, Ontario, Canada native was coming off a season that showed real growth.
Now the Blazers have a thinner backcourt and a bigger need for Holiday’s stability. That matters because Holiday already made clear where he stands. In his exit interview after the 2025-26 season, the 17-year veteran said he wanted to stay in Portland.
"I hope so," voiced Holiday. "I don't like being traded and moved and stuff.
I like being a part of something and building with a team, and seeing the progress and going through the progress with them. So, I hope so.
I'd love to be here."
Portland seems to feel the same way. Holiday delivered 16.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game last season while shooting 37.8 percent on 6.8 three-point attempts. He raised his level in the playoffs, too.
5 THREE-POINTERS FOR JRUE HOLIDAY!
He leads all scorers with 25 for the Blazers 🫡
Portland leads midway through the 3Q in G3! pic.twitter.com/EZhvARLUvz
- NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2026
Holiday’s resume still carries weight. He’s a two-time champion, a respected presence in the locker room, and someone who can help on both ends of the floor. That’s why contenders would circle if he ever became available.
But his contract is the obstacle. Holiday has two years and $72 million left, including a $37.2 million player option for 2027-28. He’s set to make $34.8 million this season, which is too steep for rivals like Miami or Philadelphia unless Portland chooses to buy him out.
For now, that looks like a possibility on hold. Training camp is getting closer, Sharpe’s injury has made Holiday more important to the Blazers’ plans, and the buyout dream for Boston’s rivals has taken a serious hit.
In Other News...
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Now Simmons says he has talked himself into supporting it, a notable shift for someone who helped frame the initial backlash. For Celtics fans, that matters because the debate has never really been about Georges name recognition, but about whether Boston can get enough reliable high-end play from him to justify the risk, and whether the upside is worth what the team gave up to get it. [Read more 🡒]
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Paul George Gives Celtics A New Question They Must Answer
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The bigger question now is how Georges game will look once he is folded into a system built to maximize collective impact. He may not be a nightly 20-point scorer, but the Celtics will care more about whether he helps them stack wins, stabilize lineups and add another layer to a team that already knows how to function without everyone needing the same touches. For Boston, the trade is not just about replacing Jaylen Brown, it is about whether George can become the next player whose value shows up best in the results. [Read more 🡒]