NBA Trades: 5 winners and losers of the Celtics-Blazers Jrue Holiday deal

By Cal Durrett | Oct 2, 2023

NBA Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 15, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

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NBA Trade Winners: Jrue Holiday

It must have been a surprising few days for Holiday. Just five days ago, he was a member of the Bucks, then he was traded to the Blazers, and now the Celtics. Going from an Eastern Conference powerhouse to a rebuilding team out West, then to another East powerhouse ultimately worked out well for Holiday.

While he wanted to finish his career in Milwaukee, playing out the final two years of his contract in Boston might not be such a bad thing, especially given that he will be playing with three all-stars. He could even be the differencemaker in a potential Conference Finals series against his former team, the Bucks. In fact, he would be Boston’s primary defensive option to try and stop Damian Lillard.

That would definitely be quite the matchup, with Lillard being one of the best offensive players in the NBA and Holiday being among the best defensive guards in the league. There is also the subplot that the Bucks moved Holiday to upgrade with Lillard. In fact, Milwaukee landing Lillard likely inspired the Celtics to try and counter that by trading for Holiday.

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No matter the reason he ended up in Boston, he should be excited that he isn’t being forced to play on a rebuilding Blazers team. Better yet, he has a chance to win another championship, making him the biggest winner in the deal.

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