Brad Stevens: Jrue Holiday ‘perfect fit’ for Celtics
While it wasn’t as seismic as Damian Lillard‘s blockbuster to the Milwaukee Bucks, Jrue Holiday–who, ironically enough, got shipped out from Milwaukee for Lillard–getting traded to the Boston Celtics Sunday could be one of the most impactful transactions this offseason.
Holiday was traded for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, a 2024 first-round pick (via Golden State) and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick.
If he’s healthy, Holiday is a strong upgrade over former Celtics guard Marcus Smart, who was involved in a three-team trade in late June that ultimately landed Boston Kristaps Porzingis. The 33-year-old guard is one of the best defenders in the sport and is very well-respected by his peers as a world-class defender.
During media day Monday, Boston president of basketball operations Brad Stevens discussed Holiday’s addition, a player that nobody envisioned would have been attainable prior to the Lillard trade.
“There’s a list of guys in the league that you always think you’ve never had a real chance to get that you think are perfect fits,” Stevens said. “And Jrue is one of those guys.
“We’re trying to win a championship. We’re trying to be as good as we can be. We certainly did (pay a big price) — two picks, two good players. That is a real price. But that’s how good we think Jrue is.”
Holiday averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.2 steals last year, shooting 47.9 percent from the floor, 38.4 percent from 3-point range (career-high 6.1 3PA) and 85.9 percent from the charity stripe last season.
He might carry as much of an on-ball responsibility as he did in Milwaukee, but will be a suitable fit defensively alongside Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Al Horford and Porzingis; Holiday also provides steady rebounding, playmaking, shot-creation and spot-up shooting to Boston’s backcourt.
Though Stevens was quick to lament how important Holiday is not just on the court, but in the locker room.
“I mean, everybody can see what he does on the court. He’s a really good player, multiple time All-Star, defense has been well-documented, etc.” he said. “But I think it’s the, he’s an elite teammate, elite competitive character. All of those things.
“It’s not one that you predict will necessarily have a chance to get. You knew the price is going to be really high. But he’s a guy that we think is a great fit for us, and does so many good things on and off the court for us.”
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