When the New Orleans Pelicans traded for Jrue Holiday two years ago they were ecstatic because they were getting an All-Star level point guard. Since coming to New Orleans though Holiday has ony played 74 out of a possible 164 games due to injuries and the Pelicans want to do everything in their power to keep him healthy this year. In an effort to keep him healthy the Pelicans don't plan to play him big minutes early in the season and will limit him in training camp, according to John Reid of The Times Picayune.
Holiday dealt with a stress reaction in his lower right leg last season which forced him to miss a ton of time. Holiday underwent surgery in May to have a screw planted in the leg but he has been medically cleared to participate in training camp. Despite the clearance the Pelicans will still have restrictions on him for camp and likely when the season begins too.
"We're not going to ask Jrue to come out and play 35 to 40 minutes a game. We are really strong at the guard position. We feel like we have a deep team. Having a deep team, I feel our strength is in our numbers, so we don't have to put the pressure on him to go out and play extensive minutes a game," said Dell Demps the Pelicans general manager.
The depth Demps brought up was a good point and is huge for the Pelicans as they ease Holiday into this season. It took a while but the Pelicans were able to bring Norris Cole back this season after he accepted the teams qualifying offer so he will help ease the load as will Tyreke Evans. More good news is that Holiday will be able to still contribute but he just won't be getting the 33 minutes per game he has averaged in his career at least to start the season.
It is unknown how the Pelicans will choose to divvy out the minutes but Holiday will still likely be the starter while Cole is the backup and Evans might see some time at the point too. The Pelicans are looking to take a step forward this year and Holiday's health is a huge part of that so being cautious with him right now is certainly a wise move.
