The Portland Trail Blazers are trading guard Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, a 2024 first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick from Boston, the team announced Sunday. Earlier this week, Holiday was originally dealt to the Blazers as part of the deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, but Portland never intended to keep Holiday as it focuses on securing its young guards in Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe to build around.
Boston was reportedly at the top of Holiday’s wish list of teams he wanted to be traded to, according to Wojnarowski, and the Celtics turned down offers from teams in both conferences. The Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat were other teams that expressed interest in the five-time All-Defensive guard, but Boston ultimately prevailed. Although Holiday has only one year left on his contract, the Celtics are reportedly interested in keeping him long-term, according to Wojnarowski.
Holiday will certainly have an immediate impact on the Celtics, who are essentially replacing Marcus Smart, who the team traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason. Holiday will build a strong defensive backfield with Derrick White, who earned All-Defensive honors last season.
The Blazers continue to build wealth after trading Lillard to Milwaukee. Portland has now acquired Brodgon, Williams, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, three first-round picks and two pick swaps in the Lillard trade. That’s an impressive haul after it seemed like there wasn’t much of a market outside of the Miami Heat’s offerings for much of the offseason. And it doesn’t sound like Portland isn’t done yet either. Wojnarowski reports that while Portland intends to keep Williams, there is interest in Brogdon, who the team could trade for even more assets.
While the Blazers closed the book on the Lillard era this week, they wasted no time acquiring quality assets for the future.