Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Justin Holiday carved out a lengthy NBA career through defensive versatility, reliable three-point shooting, and a willingness to embrace whatever role his team required. His professionalism, experience, and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor made Holiday a trusted veteran presence across multiple franchises.

Here’s a detailed profile of Justin Holiday:

Full Name: Justin Alaric Holiday
Nationality: American
Age: 35 years old
Hometown: Mission Hills, California, USA
Height: 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters)
Weight: 180 pounds (82 kg)
Wingspan: 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 meters)
Shoe Size: 13 (US)
Number: 8 (currently wears this number, though it may vary by team)
Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
High School: Campbell Hall School (Los Angeles, California)
College: University of Washington
NBA Draft: Undrafted in 2011

Teams Played For:

  1. Philadelphia 76ers (2013)
  2. Golden State Warriors (2014–2015)
  3. Atlanta Hawks (2015)
  4. Chicago Bulls (2015–2016, 2017–2018)
  5. New York Knicks (2016–2017)
  6. Memphis Grizzlies (2019)
  7. Indiana Pacers (2019–2022)
  8. Sacramento Kings (2022)
  9. Atlanta Hawks (2022–2023)
  10. Dallas Mavericks (2023)
  11. Denver Nuggets (2023–present)

Championship Rings: 1 (2015 with the Golden State Warriors)
Kids:

  • Daughter: Isla Holiday
  • Daughter: Madison Holiday

Siblings:

  • Brother: Jrue Holiday (NBA player)
  • Brother: Aaron Holiday (NBA player)
  • Sister: Lauren Holiday (played college basketball at UCLA)

The player archetype for Justin Holiday is a veteran 3-and-D wing who has built a lengthy NBA career through dependable perimeter defense and complementary offensive play. Long and lean at 6-foot-6 with a near 7-foot wingspan, Holiday regularly draws difficult wing assignments, using his reach to contest jumpers, disrupt passing lanes, and switch across multiple positions without needing the ball to make an impact. His offensive role has always centered on floor spacing, cutting at the right moments, and staying ready for catch-and-shoot opportunities rather than creating offense off the dribble. Holiday has worn the jersey of numerous franchises, yet his role has remained remarkably consistent because coaches know exactly what they’re getting: disciplined rotations, reliable effort on the perimeter, and a willingness to fit around higher-usage teammates without disrupting the flow of the offense.

Scouting Report

Justin Holiday has always struck me as the type of wing whose best possessions often begin without the ball. He understands spacing instinctively, drifting a step or two along the perimeter as drives develop so the passing angle stays open instead of standing rooted to one spot, and that subtle movement turns average kick-outs into clean catch-and-shoot looks. He rarely hijacks an offense. Most of his touches are quick, decisive, and geared toward keeping the advantage alive, whether that’s swinging the ball immediately or attacking a closeout with a straight-line drive before making the simple pass to the next open teammate. The trade-off is that he doesn’t create much against a defense that’s already set. Asking him to manufacture offense off the dribble usually strips away what makes him valuable in the first place. Defensively, his length shows up more than raw physicality. He does a good job contesting without overcommitting, navigating off-ball screens to stay connected to shooters, and sliding into help before recovering back to the perimeter. It’s easy to overlook how disciplined he is with those rotations because they rarely become highlight plays, but they often prevent an offense from reaching its second or third option. Bigger forwards can dislodge him around the basket, and explosive guards with tight handles are capable of creating enough separation to limit his impact at the point of attack, yet he generally understands where he’s supposed to be and forces opponents to execute rather than giving away easy mistakes. That’s why his ideal fit has always been next to high-usage creators who need dependable floor spacing and a wing willing to absorb difficult defensive assignments without demanding possessions in return. To me, his overall game resembles Wesley Matthews later in his career, with shades of James Jones in the way he quietly complements stars through spacing, defensive discipline, and an understanding of how to stay connected to the flow of an offense without becoming its focal point.