In a brilliant effort to bolster their roster, the Boston Celtics successfully negotiated a trade that has brought Jrue Holiday to their team from the Portland Trail Blazers. This move was a result of rumors that Holiday would soon be traded after leaving the Milwaukee Bucks.
The blockbuster deal, reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, reveals the Celtics trading Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, a 2024 Golden State Warriors 1st, and an unprotected 2029 Boston first to the Blazers.
Via Wojnarowski: “BREAKING: The Portland Trail Blazers are trading guard Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN.”
BREAKING: The Portland Trail Blazers are trading guard Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/rOx1Hpwcpk
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 1, 2023
Wojnarowski later reported the details of the deal.
Via Wojnarowski: “The Celtics are trading Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, 2024 GSW 1st, 2029 unprotected BOS first to the Blazers, sources tell ESPN.”
The Celtics are trading Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, 2024 GSW 1st, 2029 unprotected BOS first to the Blazers, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/gx53jyH1RG
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 1, 2023
Holiday is a strong guard who helped the Bucks win the 2021 NBA Championship, he averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in the previous season. In his NBA career, he averaged 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists highlighting his consistent performance in the league.
The Celtics also acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards sending Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, signaling an aggressive approach to their 18th championship title pursuit. These moves show their efforts to enhance their team, with a potential starting five combinations featuring Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Porzingis.
Can the Boston Celtics win the championship?
In the middle of these significant changes, the question arises Can they win the championship? The newly added assets, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, in combination with existing talents Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, make them a dominant team in the upcoming season.
With the addition of Jrue Holiday, the Boston Celtics have forged a powerful Big Three with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Holiday himself. In the 2022-23 season, Tatum and Brown both averaged over 25 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Jrue Holiday is being traded to the Celtics, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/afGZEO9mPX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 1, 2023
However, challenges surround these advancements. The depth of the Celtics’ frontcourt raises questions, as there is minimal proven talent behind Porzingis and Al Horford. Porzingis’ known injury history and Horford’s age (37) add to the concern.
To solve these potential issues, the Celtics still hold a $6.3 million trade exception from the Grant Williams sign-and-trade, which could be used to secure another power forward or center to improve their lineup. With strategic use of rotations, addressing frontcourt vulnerabilities, and leveraging the skills of their talented roster, the Celtics surely have a good chance of winning the championship.
