The Boston Celtics’ pursuit of Jrue Holiday “remains alive,” according to NBA insider Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. However, there is a “significant gap” in negotiations with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Milwaukee Bucks traded Holiday to the Blazers in the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade. Holiday, an elite two-way NBA player, is not expected to remain with the Blazers, who are in rebuild mode.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics Updates
Holiday played in 67 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field, 38.4% from beyond the arc and 85.9% from the free-throw line. The NBA champion signed a four-year, $135 million extension with Milwaukee in April 2021.
A California native, Holiday has career NBA averages of 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Bucks. He has made five All-Defensive teams and two All-Star teams.
Giannis Antetokounmpo talked to NBA reporter Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report about the Bucks trading Holiday to the Blazers for Lillard. While Antetokounmpo is eager to play with Lillard, the two-time MVP and future Hall of Famer is going to miss Holiday.
“Jrue is my f–king brother for life. I love his family. I love him. I appreciate him. I wish him nothing but the best. He blessed me with a f–king championship,” Antetokounmpo said in the NBA interview. “He’s the one who made that huge steal in Game 5 of the Finals. I went to battle with him multiple times. F–k basketball. F–k the media shit. This guy is my brother for life, and it’s always going to be like that. He’s going to thrive wherever he ends up.”
Holiday will make $34.9 million next season. He has a player option worth $37.4 million for the 2024-25 season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics Updates
The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games. The Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Celtics, Chicago Bulls and Sixers are teams that appeal to Holiday, according to NBA insiders Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.
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