Moving forward, the Boston Celtics will need to make some choices. The most important one is the matter of Jrue Holiday. The Celtics
have the option to extend Holiday’s $37.4 million player option. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report outlined the reasons why extending
Holiday ought to be Boston’s top priority.
In a piece published on March 21, Favale stated, “The Celtics should be uniquely motivated to get an agreement done.” “To start with,
if the 33-year-old declines his $40.2 million player option and leaves in free agency, they won’t have the money to start replacing him.”
Favale outlined the reasons the Celtics must sign him at a reasonable fee.
“Equally important: Softening the second-apron intractability for next season is extending him on a contract that gets him to decline
the option and sign for a reduced annual figure over the longer term.
On the surface, this could appear to be a minor issue. Is it really that important if Holiday cuts roughly $10 million from his yearly
average if Boston can’t avoid taking the second apron?
“Next season? Not in that way. However, having his number set for the remainder of this year allows the front office to schedule
around a concrete cap sheet. That has value, but the value of just ensuring that Holiday stays put is far greater.
In his career, Holiday has been selected to the All-Star squad twice (in 2013 and 2023) and has won a championship with the
Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics won’t be able to replace him if he left, as Favale writes.
Before the trade, Jrue Holiday confided in the ex-Celtic
Prior to trading Holiday to the Celtics, the Bucks dealt him to the Portland Trail Blazers. Before Portland moved Holiday to Boston,
Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups disclosed to Jay King of The Athletic what he and Holiday had discussed.
In a report published on March 12, Billups said to King, “I had a conversation — a long, good conversation with him — just about I
know it was a little tough spot for him, being traded, kind of being blindsided by that.” “I’ve already been there. I know him, so that’s
why I’m able to rap with him in that way. And it was crucial to me that he be treated fairly and placed in a fantastic position because he
is a fine man who has excelled on every team and in every town in which he has lived.
Holiday discussed the significance of his talk with Billups.
It mattered a great deal, Holiday said to King. “Having a coach that looks out for my best interests.” Additionally, you could hear it as
well as see it, which frequently happens to be something that coaches don’t give their players access to. Thus, from the start, he
unquestionably had my best interests (in mind). And he simply watched out for me at all times.
Jermaine Holiday will not play against the Pistons.
On March 20, Holiday was unable to attend the Celtics game versus the Bucks. It seems he won’t be present for their upcoming
matchup with the Pistons. Holiday’s decision not to play was verified by the Celtics’ official X account.
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