After the blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard, the next big deal in the NBA is imminent: Jrue Holiday is set to suit up for the Boston Celtics in the future
Jrue Holiday was part of the mega deal that brought Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo together with the Milwaukee Bucks. While Lillard came from Portland, Holiday was sent in the opposite direction by the Bucks. However, his future does not lie with the Trail Blazers, who will most likely start a personnel rebuild after Lillard’s departure, which would then logically contradict the continued employment of an experienced top man like Holiday.
This will not happen anyway, because the 33-year-old is about to make his next move: he is to play for the Boston Celtics in future, as ESPN and “The Athletic” report in agreement. In compensation, Portland will receive Robert Williams III, reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and two draft picks: the 2024 first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors and an unprotected first-round pick from the Celtics in 2029.
Enrichment for Boston?
Boston has been considered a title contender for years, but the Celtics’ dream of an 18th championship, their first since 2008, has so far remained unfulfilled. Holiday, on the other hand, knows what that feels like, having won the title with Milwaukee in 2021.
The veteran not only has experience, he should be an asset for Boston offensively thanks to his prudent playmaking – but the two-time All Star (2013 and 2023) possesses his greatest qualities on the defensive end. In his career, Holiday has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times (2018, 2021, 2023) and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice (2019 and 2022).
This past season, Holiday averaged 19.3 points, 7.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals.
