The Golden State Warriors have interested in 11-year NBA veteran Justin Holiday. According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, he’s “among the several experienced wings who have shuffled through San Francisco in recent weeks.” That includes former first-round pick Nassir Little, whose workout with the Warriors was reported earlier this week.
Warriors Work Out NBA Champion Jrue Holiday’s Title-Winning Brother, Justin Holiday
Holiday, who won a championship with the Warriors in 2015, is a journey man guard who has played for 10 NBA teams entering the league. That’s even with him heading to Hungary to play for Szolnoki Olajbanyasz.
Having gone undrafted in 2011, he’s also played for Belgium’s Okapi Aalstar in 2011-12. With Aalstar, he was a starter, playing alongside In 2012-13, he played for what was formerly the D-League’s Idaho Stampede. The Stampede have since been rebranded as the Salt Lake City Stars, the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate.
What He Can Bring To The Warriors
Well traveled and battle-tested, Holiday is among the most experienced players that the Warriors could sign. He’s also a team player, key for a championship-contender that can’t guarantee minutes. The California native has played whatever role is asked of him, whether starting or warming the bench.
His humility may be natural for someone with his winding career. Considering the attitude of his brothers, Jrue Holiday and Aaron Holiday, it also could be a product of his upbringing. Despite being an integral player for two championship teams, The Jruth carries himself with a quiet confidence. A. Holiday, who is by far the youngest of the brothers, proudly stars in his role.
Just as important for Golden State, if they do sign Holiday, is his two-way ability.
The 35-year-old is still a capable defender, well aware of how to use his length and agility. At 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-0 wingspan, he’s a multi-positional defender who can play in a variety of coverages. The Warriors, who have long prided themselves on their positional versatility and defensive IQ, will appreciate that.
Holiday is also a career 36.5 percent shooter from deep. He’s gotten even better over the past five seasons, making 37.9 percent of his 3s in that time. This includes a 40.4 percent mark with the Denver Nuggets last season (the second-highest of his career). In 21 playoff games, he’s converted 43.5 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Will He Make The Team?
The Warriors only have 14 players under standard contracts. However, Slater notes that their open roster spot is essentially null and void because Golden State is salary cap complications. This would seemingly make waiving one of the players on a non-guaranteed contract their only viable option.
As 2024 training camp nears, there’s even less drama about the Warriors’ open 15th spot. It won’t be filled. Because of the new collective bargaining agreement rules, it can’t. Because of the Klay Thompson sign-and-trade that brought back Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield, the Warriors have locked themselves at the just-created first apron. The team’s collective salary can’t exceed $178.1 million. They are currently less than $1 million under it, leaving no room for a 15th player.
If so, Gui Santos or Lindy Waters III could be waived or traded.
Santos and Waters have flashed since joining the NBA, even in places other than Golden State. Santos is a standout player for Brazil’s national team and Waters made a name for himself with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yet, neither offers the 3-and-D skillset of Holiday. When considering the Warriors’ team needs, from their philosophy to concerns about their wing depth, he’s arguably more important than either player.
