Memphis Grizzlies Acquire Justin Holiday from Chicago Bulls
The Memphis Grizzlies sent a pair of players and two future picks in the second round to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Justin Holiday, the two teams announced late Thursday.
Memphis sent their second round picks for 2019 and 2020 along with MarShon Brooks and Wayne Selden to the Bulls. Chicago waived Cameron Payne during the deal as well.
Memphis thought a deal was reached that included Selden and Brooks in December for Kelly Oubre Jr. However, it fell through. This was due to a bizzare situation where Phoenix thought they would be receiving Dillion Brooks from Memphis as part of a three-team deal.
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Memphis began the season on a strong note, but has struggled of late and coveted the playmaking ability Holiday possesses. With Chicago, Holiday was averaging 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. As well as that, he was averaging just over 35 minutes per contest.
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Justin Holiday has a contract that will expire at season’s end. As a result, he could be traded again prior to the trade deadline of February 7 if he is not packaged with another player. However, by trading a pair of picks in the second round it appears the intent is that Memphis re-signs Holiday over the summer.
With the addition of the $4.4 million contract of Holiday, the Grizzlies remain under the threshold of the luxury tax by $463,000.
The Bulls are going through a deal making period. Jabari Parker and Robin Lopez are also being shopped, said sources close to the team.
Payne, who is 24, has struggled to remain healthy. He’s found it hard to find a place in the league since being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015 as the 14th pick overall. In three seasons with Chicago, Payne averaged 6.7 points, 3.1 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game. He played an average of 18.8 minutes per contest.
