Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday feels like he’s “supposed to be” where he’s at now, he didn’t expect it.
Jrue Holiday on his trade to the Celtics: “I think that this is what was supposed to happen.”
“I’m supposed to be here and I’m supposed to be here with my teammates and we’re suooosed to do this together. And it is because that’s the way it was supposed to be.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) May 31, 2024
Unlike former Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, this isn’t because he left them off his list of preferred trade destinations. To the contrary, Boston made his shortlist of “five or six teams,” per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. However, he didn’t think the Milwaukee Bucks were going to trade him. Though it was obvious team leader Giannis Antetokounmpo wanted a talent upgrade somewhere, he thought his spot was safe.
It wasn’t.
“…Just an hour after being awoken with the news, Holiday and his wife, Lauren, found themselves on a call with agent Jason Glushon and a list of 28 remaining teams to go through. With his next team getting his Bird rights and the ability to sign him to an extension before he became a free agent the next year, Holiday was plunged into doing a version of free agency…
When the call was over, there was a list of five or six teams… Several teams armed with draft pick assets that would’ve been attractive to the Blazers called only to be told they weren’t on the list.”
While the full list of Holiday’s preferred landing spots has yet to be revealed, neither the Indiana Pacers nor New York Knicks made the cut. The Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers did.
Celtics’ Competition For Jrue Holiday Trade, Revealed
Outbid by Boston’s determined front office, L.A. didn’t have much of a chance at Holiday.
Looking at what they offered the Philadelphia 76ers for James Harden, L.A’s draft assets may have been to the Portland Trail Blazers’ liking. In fact, the Celtics gave up two first-round picks for Holiday, while the Clippers surrendered three for Harden (two went to the Sixers).
However, they weren’t giving Portland the same caliber of established talent. Boston gave up 2023 Sixth Man of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, and 2022 All-Defensive selection Robert Williams III in the Holiday deal. L.A. sent Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington —all past their prime —and KJ Martin to Philly.
Who Were His Other Suitors?
One can assume that if the Clippers were shortlisted, the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat would’ve appealed to Holiday as well. To that point, Holiday has said on multiple occasions that he grew up as a Los Angeles Lakers fan. It makes sense, as he’s a Los Angeles native who still resides in the city. The guy even played for UCLA.
With regard to the Heat, there aren’t nearly as many circumstantial connections. However, the Heat are a popular team for veterans who are serious competitors due to the culture and playoff history. Furthermore, Miami had an identifiable need at point guard. Lastly, if there’s any city that’s similar to Los Angeles, it’s Miami.
A bit more speculative is the thought that he’d entertain a return to Philadelphia. The Sixers selected Holiday with the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, becoming the team’s starter before the All-Star Break. He became the youngest All-Star in franchise history in 2013. Though they traded him after that season, Philadelphia had interest in a reunion as recently as this season. They were even among the teams who wanted to trade for him last autumn, per PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck.
