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Jrue Holiday has been playing at an elite level for the Portland Trail Blazers through the first stretch of the season, and Jeff Teague believes that success could lead to something bigger. Through four games, Holiday is averaging 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists while helping the Blazers to a 2-2 start, NBA Analysis reports. His veteran leadership and defensive intensity have been major factors in their early competitiveness. Holiday’s presence has already set the tone for Portland, a young team trying to build stability after years of transition. His two-way play and championship experience have made him invaluable. Yet if he continues at this pace, he could become one of the most coveted players at the trade deadline. ‘Get Your Bags Packed, Brother’ Despite getting traded from the 2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics to the rebuilding Blazers, Holiday’s enthusiasm for Portland is there. Speaking with Andscape after a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, he said, “Everyone was just talking about it. Nobody was really asking me about the trade. Everyone was assuming I was miserable or unhappy with it. But when I got the call from [Celtics president] Brad [Stevens], I was super excited.” He added that joining a roster with high-character players made the move appealing: “Young or veteran team, I know that a team with good character guys will always be a good situation.” Still, the NBA is a business, and former All-Star Jeff Teague believes Holiday’s journey in Portland could be short-lived. Speaking on his Club 520 Podcast, Teague confidently predicted, “He’s going to be traded at the deadline. Do you know where Jrue is going? Houston. Jrue Holiday is going to Houston. I just figured it out. Hey Jrue, get your bags packed, brother, you’re going to Houston.” Rockets’ Fit and Financial Reality Teague’s call comes at a time when the Rockets are contending with major changes. They are currently hard-capped at the first apron of $195.9 million after acquiring Kevin Durant in a summer sign-and-trade. With Holiday owed $32.4 million annually through the 2027–28 season, any deal would require matching salaries, making the move difficult without parting with key rotation players, ClutchPoints reports. The Rockets’ situation has been further complicated by Fred VanVleet’s ACL tear during offseason training. The veteran point guard, who re-signed for $119 million over three years, will miss the entire season. His absence leaves a glaring hole in Houston’s backcourt; one that a player like Holiday could fill seamlessly. Holiday’s proven ability to elevate championship-caliber teams, as seen in Milwaukee and Boston, makes him an attractive option for a franchise looking to capitalize on Durant’s arrival. If Houston wants to stay aggressive in the Western Conference arms race, Teague’s prediction may not be as far-fetched as it sounds. Whether or not the Rockets can pull off the financial gymnastics remains a mystery, but the thought of pairing Durant and Holiday has already caught fans’ attention. Let’s be honest, that’s exactly what the Rockets need right now. No disrespect to Fred’s game, but Holiday is a slightly different breed.
