Celtics’ president, Brad Stevens, saw it as a no-brainer to go after Jrue Holiday when the defender was traded from Milwaukee to Portland in exchange for Damian Lillard joining the Bucks.
Jrue Holiday had a remarkable season, playing a crucial role in making Boston’s core, contributing to their outstanding performance, and leading to the best record in the NBA’s regular season. With this success, Stevens is determined to keep Holiday on the Celtics’ roster; he’s unwilling to let go of such a valuable player.
How much will Jrue Holiday earn under his new Celtics contract?
Jrue Holiday has agreed to stay with the Celtics for four more years, signing an enormous $135 million contract extension. On Wednesday, his agent, Jason Glushon, confirmed this news, as reported first by ESPN. Holiday has decided to pass on his $37.5 million player option for the upcoming season in this deal.
This extension means Holiday will play for the Celtics until the 2027-28 season. The 33-year-old defender has taken on a bigger role since the Celtics traded away Marcus Smart, known for his defensive power, in a three-team trade that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston.
Holiday strategically moved by turning down his $37.4-million player option, opting for around $30.1 million next season. This decision brings significant savings in luxury tax for the Celtics, especially with Jaylen Brown’s super-max extension. Beyond securing Holiday’s long-term stay, this move is a massive win for Boston. Brian Robb calculated that it could save them up to $35 million, including luxury tax. If needed, Bobby Marks predicts Boston might slip under the second tax slab next season.
Looking ahead, Holiday will gain big with a $35-million paycheck at 36 and another big pay of $37.4 million at 37. This places him among NBA legends like Steph Curry, Al Horford, and LeBron James, who received better deals later in their careers.
Jrue Holiday’s performances in Celtics colors
Holiday remains a valuable player, having been selected as an All-Star twice. While his scoring has dipped to 12.5 points per game, his lowest since his early years in the league, he’s been shooting exceptionally well from beyond the arc at 43.1% and holding a career-best 5.4 rebounds per game.
With the Celtics boasting an impressive record of 62-17, they’ve secured the top spot in the NBA and the advantage of playing at home throughout the playoffs.
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