Why the Indiana Pacers are hesitant to trade Aaron Holiday

The Indiana Pacers out-picked their draft position when they drafted Aaron Holiday, and he is only improving as he gets more time on the floor.

Aaron Holiday might be traded by the Indiana Pacers before today’s 3 p.m. deadline, but it doesn’t look likely according to the Indianapolis Star’s J. Michael.

According to my one of own sources, they confirm the impression is that Holiday won’t be moved. It seems unless the right offer is on the table, Indiana isn’t motivated to trade their rookie.

While other teams are inquiring about Holiday according to the Star’s beat writer, it’s clear the Pacers value what Holiday brings to the table and put stock in his potential as a player. According to J. Michael, the Pacers are simply saying no to the inquiries.

From what we’ve seen of him on the floor this season, it’s clear he has a future in the NBA, and the Pacers are very happy to keep him around.

Update: Kevin Pritchard tweets the Pacers aren’t shopping Holiday

Why the Indiana Pacers wouldn’t want to move Aaron Holiday

While his per game averages aren’t eye-catching — 5.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists —his per 36-minute stats — 17.7/4.5/4.6 — point to a player that can score and distribute the ball at the NBA level.

He rightly was behind Darren Collison, Cory Joseph, and Victor Oladipo to start the season, but with Oladipo out and the intermittent absences of Tyreke Evans, the path cleared for Holiday to get real minutes.

Once he started to see the floor outside of garbage time, his net rating pointed to his positive contributions to the team. After more than 400 minutes of play, that stands at +5.1.

Despite being a rookie, Holiday shows that his basketball IQ, defense, and other abilities make up for the fact he is shooting 40.2 percent from the floor and 31.5 percent from beyond the arc this season. Once he finds his shot more reliably, his positive influence is bound to increase.

In the blow out win over the Los Angeles Lakers, that needed accuracy was there for Holiday. He shot 7 of 10 from the field and 3 of 4 from deep. His full potential was on display even as the Pacers were hammering the Lakers into the ground.

It’s games like that and the others where he chased double-doubles that show his potential role in the Pacers future. He isn’t ready for prime time, but it’s hard not to see that he will be one day as one of Indiana’s guards.

That’s why it’s hard to know exactly how much he should be worth to the Pacers or anyone else in a trade situation.

As a developing player, it’s hard to gauge his worth

Let’s consider a rumored trade target — Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies — and breakdown where Holiday might fit in, and why it maybe it wouldn’t work.

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If the Pacers wanted Conley from Grizzlies, along with draft pick(s) and expiring contracts, they likely would have to include either Holiday or Domantas Sabonis. With the backup center in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation at one point, Indiana is likely hesitant to include him in a deal.

If that’s the case, then Indiana might counter with Holiday. But if you’re the Grizzlies, you want to push for the more proven player, which could be where the possible deal breaks down.

Holiday isn’t quite ready for prime time like Conley is, but with Oladipo out, it’s hard to see a need for urgency on the Pacers part. Aaron could be a similar player to Mike one day, so it only is in Indiana’s best interest to be patient.

And if you’re the Grizzlies, you can’t hope Holiday is going to be that good, you need to know. The rookie’s potential is great, but knowing if he’ll reach it is another thing entirely.

Whether Holiday was or still on the trading block, it can’t be easy for the Pacers or a potential trade partner to nail down his worth for either side.

If the deal is right, sure, you move Holiday, but you’re the Pacers, you’ve seen enough from Holiday to know he will start for you one day.