Indiana Pacers: Does Justin Holiday fit into future plans?
By Luke Parrish
What does Holiday bring to Indiana?
Justin Holiday has not had the best of luck in terms of playing for contenders. In seven seasons, he has appeared in just two playoffs and has not advanced past the first round. He serves as a respectable 3-and-D player on the wing but lacks the consistent impact to be a reliable starter on a playoff team.
Last summer, Indiana gave Holiday a one year contract worth $4.8 million. Over the course of his seven-year career, Holiday has accumulated roughly $16.5 million from seven teams. He has also never stayed with one team for two full seasons consecutively – although he has had multiple stints with the Chicago Bulls.
Wings are always valuable assets, and those who provide quality outside shooting will always have a home in the NBA. With rumors swirling of Victor Oladipo being a trade chip, the Pacers will gladly accept any wing depth they can get.
While Justin Holiday is a serviceable piece, he is by no means a roster lock or necessity. With plenty of wings and shooters on the market, he could be on his way out. However, he played well for Indiana and could stay as a mentor for a young roster.
In the case of injury, which has not been a stranger to Indiana, Holiday brings even more value. He can slide into the starting lineup and help the first-team offense at times. While he fits well as a rotational wing piece, he is not shy of playing big minutes.