Image courtesy of AP
The Milwaukee Bucks recently traded one of their key players to acquire Damian Lillard. Jrue Holiday is a veteran guard who plays well on both the offensive and defensive side of the floor. He was a factor in Milwaukee winning their championship, and prior to the Lillard deal, it looked like he would be a factor this season. However, Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. But Holiday is already on the move.
Holiday is heading to Boston to play for the Celtics.
The Celtics have traded Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, a 2024 first round pick from the Golden State Warriors and a 2029 unprotected first round pick in exchange for Holiday.
Holiday joins a talented Celtics team with a young core of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The duo could benefit from Holiday’s experience and this move makes the Celtics’ defense even tougher. Holiday mentioned that he wanted to play for a contender and someone he could sign a longer deal with. The Celtics were high on his list of teams.
The veteran guard averaged 19.3 points, 7.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds (his best). Holiday can make an impact in multiple ways, and will bring that skill (and energy) to Boston.
The Celtics could already be the top team in the Eastern Conference, but a move like this makes the argument stronger. They will have competition with other teams (Philadelphia, Milwaukee and so on), but this move could take them over the top.
Holiday is a champion, an elite defender (who has made the All-Defensive NBA First Team three times and the second team twice) and a veteran presence. The Celtics are no strangers to having great seasons and even reaching the NBA Finals. This pairing is practically ideal, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out in the season.
