The Boston Celtics have reportedly won the sweepstakes for Jrue Holiday, as they are set to send the Portland Trail Blazers a package consisting of players and draft picks for the coveted star.
The Celtics are trading Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, 2024 GSW 1st, 2029 unprotected BOS first to the Blazers, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/gx53jyH1RG
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 1, 2023
There were plenty of teams linked to Holiday, with the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers among them. In the end, Boston’s trade proposal won the Blazers over.
Malcolm Brogdon was a key piece for the Celtics off the bench last season. Averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, the former Rookie of the Year took home the 2023 Sixth Man of the Year award.
The 30-year-old looked like an essential part of the rotation going forward after the Celtics traded away Marcus Smart earlier in the offseason. However, Brogdon’s relationship with the organization reportedly hit some rocky waters, so shipping him to a different home was probably the right move.
What’s perhaps surprising to some folks is the inclusion of Robert Williams III in the deal. While the big man has struggled to stay on the floor at times, he still has proven his value as a rim protector and rebounder. Arguably his best NBA season so far came in the 2021-22 campaign, when he recorded 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per contest.
With Williams now gone, Boston’s frontcourt depth has taken a huge hit. It also doesn’t help that new acquisition Kristaps Porzingis often finds himself injured while veteran big man Al Horford is already 37 years old.
Perhaps Boston will make some more roster moves, although some pundits are high on the team’s recent signing of Neemias Queta. Even so, the 24-year-old is still unproven in the NBA.
It’s likely that the front office thinks the ensuing uncertainty in the frontcourt is a justifiable exchange for adding Holiday. After all, he still looks like an elite two-player who appears to fit well with the franchise’s core group of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Porzingis. Moreover, the two-time All-Star is just two years removed from helping the Milwaukee Bucks win a championship.
