Jrue Holiday wants extension from Celtics
Even if the raw numbers don’t always indicate it, there’s no question that guard Jrue Holiday continues to prove that he’s one of the most malleable, versatile players in the sport, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
The Boston Celtics acquired the 33-year-old defensive ace from the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason, shortly after Holiday was the main player in the trade that was used in the Milwaukee Bucks’ effort to acquire star point guard Damian Lillard.
Barely a half-season in his new home, Holiday, who’s in the penultimate year of a four-year, $135 million deal, wouldn’t mind remaining in Boston for the long term.
“I’d like to be here,” Holiday said this week, according to Brian Robb of MassLive. “I feel like I’m getting more and more comfortable, loving the guys, loving the organization and loving the city.
“I got comfortable in basketball, I got comfortable in Boston. My family did too so it’s been good. We spent a little bit of time there. My wife played soccer there back in 2010. We’ve been (in Boston) for a little bit (before), we got some friends here so it’s been nice.”
For the first six months after being traded, Holiday can only extend for two seasons for five percent raises. Those restrictions will be lifted after those six months have expired (beginning of April), thus he will be able to add four additional years with eight percent raises. Holiday owns a $39.4 million player option for 2024-25 (according to Spotrac) so any extension would automatically decline that option and begin that next season.
He is averaging 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 0.8 steals in 33.7 minutes per game this season, shooting 46.3 percent from the floor, 42.5 percent from 3-point range (which would be a career-best) and 82.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Don’t be swayed by Holiday’s counting stats. He’s one of–if not the–most impactful defenders on one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. He routinely showcases the ability to guard up on switches and cross-matches, while possessing the lateral quickness, strength and dexterity to hound smaller guards and lead ballhandlers night-after-night.
“This year, I’m doing what the team needs and what my guys need, they need me to be in the spots (offensively) that I am,” Holiday said. “I think they know that. They are looking for me and looking out for me.”
He’s a perfect fit in Joe Mazzula’s switch-y scheme alongside Jaylen Brown, who’s having one of the best all-around seasons of his career (even if his offensive numbers don’t pop off the page), Jayson Tatum, Derrick White (another elite guard defender), newly-acquired Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
The Celtics own the second-best adjusted defensive rating in the sport with the league’s top adjusted NET Rating by three points, according to Dunks and Threes. Holiday’s one of the biggest reasons why. Remaining in Boston would be the best for both sides, so it will be interesting how this situation is navigated once the summer arrives with Boston having exceeded the vaunted second apron.
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