Jrue Holiday Trade Evaluation: Celtics Boost Backcourt, Blazers Accumulate Valuable Assets
The NBA trade landscape continues to shift in the aftermath of the Damian Lillard trade. As part of the deal that sent Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, Jrue Holiday now finds himself en route to the Boston Celtics. In exchange, the Portland Trail Blazers are receiving Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, a 2024 first-round pick courtesy of the Golden State Warriors, and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick from Boston. This trade represents a significant acquisition for the Blazers, who are still accumulating assets after parting ways with Lillard earlier in the week. With this trade, the Blazers have amassed an impressive array of first-round picks, and pick swaps, as well as notable players like Williams, Brogdon, Deandre Ayton, and Toumani Camara from the Lillard trade to Milwaukee.
The Blazers appear to have their eyes set on building for the future, with potential plans to move Brogdon to a contender, focusing on their young guard trio consisting of Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe. But for now, let’s delve into the specifics of the Jrue Holiday trade and assign some grades to the deal.
Celtics Grade: B+
Boston stands to benefit from this trade, even though it involves parting ways with Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, and two future first-round picks. Brogdon, while a talented player, has had durability concerns, making his departure a calculated choice. Jrue Holiday brings a defensive upgrade to the backcourt and provides the Celtics with an additional offensive playmaker to complement Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis. From a pure basketball perspective, Holiday might be viewed as a more well-rounded replacement for Marcus Smart, who was part of a trade that brought Porzingis to Boston. Holiday’s versatility is evident in his ability to run the offense, create plays, and knock down three-pointers. His presence adds depth to Boston’s offense and provides a valuable option to step up when Tatum and Brown face defensive pressure or have off nights. Defensively, Holiday’s skills are well-documented, and he joins a Celtics team that ranked second in the league defensively last season.
The downside for Boston is parting with Robert Williams, a young player who has shown significant promise when healthy. Williams excelled as a rim protector and provided an athletic option in pick-and-roll situations. While Kristaps Porzingis might fill the shot-blocking role, his history of injuries introduces some uncertainty. Relying on the 37-year-old Al Horford, while experienced, could pose concerns.
Trail Blazers Grade: A
The Portland Trail Blazers have executed a shrewd trade, allowing them to potentially gather more assets by flipping Malcolm Brogdon. The decision to retain Robert Williams and pair him with Deandre Ayton presents an exciting frontcourt duo with the potential to be formidable. Despite Williams’ injury concerns, his potential upside makes him a low-risk investment when fully healthy.
The 2024 first-round pick acquired from the Golden State Warriors may not be at the top of the draft, considering the Warriors’ status as title contenders this season. Nevertheless, it offers the Blazers valuable assets to fortify their youthful core. The 2029 first-round pick from the Celtics, while distant, could become a compelling pick depending on Boston’s fortunes over the next few years. While the Celtics have established themselves as championship contenders with Tatum and Brown as cornerstones, the unpredictable nature of the NBA suggests that what may appear as a late first-round pick could ultimately end up in the draft lottery.
As a standalone trade, the acquisition of Jrue Holiday was already beneficial for the Blazers. When you consider the broader context of what Portland received from trading Damian Lillard, this trade represents a significant win. It not only bolsters the Blazers’ prospects but also maintains their competitive edge in the present.
Comments