In a significant upheaval within the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics have made a game-changing move by acquiring All-Star guard Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers, as reported by ESPN sources. The Celtics, in exchange, have agreed to part ways with center Robert Williams III, guard Malcolm Brogdon, and two coveted first-round draft picks earmarked for 2024 and 2029.
This high-impact trade follows Portland’s earlier blockbuster deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and brought Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers. It was evident that Portland had acquired Holiday with the clear intention of leveraging his market value in a trade.
Boston has expressed a keen interest in securing Holiday’s services for an extended period, especially considering his upcoming free agency in 2024. The addition of Jrue Holiday, widely recognized as one of the NBA’s premier two-way guards, positions the Celtics as formidable contenders in the Eastern Conference, potentially challenging the reigning supremacy of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jrue Holiday’s illustrious resume includes a pivotal role in the Bucks’ 2021 NBA championship victory and a recent selection to the 2023 Eastern Conference All-Star team, breaking a nine-year All-Star appearance drought—an NBA record.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are set to retain Robert Williams III, who will pair up with newly acquired center Deandre Ayton. Malcolm Brogdon, however, may find himself back on the trading block in the near future. In the absence of further trades, Brogdon will commence the season with the Trail Blazers, joining a youthful guard lineup featuring recent draft selections Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, alongside Anfernee Simons, who secured a substantial $100 million contract extension last summer.
The Trail Blazers have already accumulated a significant haul from their Damian Lillard trade, which includes Ayton, Williams, Brogdon, and a multitude of first-round picks, in addition to pick swap opportunities with the Milwaukee Bucks for the years 2028 and 2030.
