Boston Celtics win trade sweepstakes for All-Star guard Jrue Holiday

The Boston Celtics continued their rebuild toward winning the franchise’s 18th title by making a blockbuster trade for All-Star Jrue Holiday.

Just days before the start of training camps, the Portland Trail Blazers dropped their long-awaited trade bombshell and shifted the trajectory for several teams in the new season. After months of speculation, team legend Damian Lillard was headed out of town, but instead of going to the Miami Heat as he preferred, he will be a member of the Milwaukee Bucks this season.

In the three-team deal, the Trail Blazers acquired talented big man Deandre Ayton from the Phoenix Suns and landed two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday. However, soon after the news it was reported that Portland had no intention of holding on to Holiday and would listen to offers on the skilled floor general.

With the reports that Holiday was on the trade block, the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana Pacers were seen as early favorites for him. However, one interesting team that was seen as a motivated dark horse was the Boston Celtics. Well, it seems they were very driven to get a deal done and completed it on Sunday afternoon.

Boston Celtics move Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon in deal for Jrue Holiday

ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report that the Celtics had acquired Jrue Holiday in a deal that will see sixth man of the year Malcolm Brogdon, gritty defensive-minded big man Robert Williams, the Golden State Warriors pick in 2024, and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick sent to Portland.

The deal is a major coup for the Boston Celtics who traded starting point guard Marcus Smart in a deal that landed them scoring big Kristaps Porzingis this summer. Derrick White was set to be the starter, however, this gives them a major upgrade and traditional point guard while sending White back to the bench to strengthen their second unit.