The surprising Damian Lillard three-team blockbuster trade put the Milwaukee Bucks back as the favorites in the East. However, the deal could benefit both the Bucks and their rivals, the Boston Celtics. The Bucks moved 2-time all-star Jrue Holiday in the deal to acquire Lillard, and now the Portland Trail Blazers are looking to move Holiday again.
The Celtics have already made a big offseason trade, landing all-star Kristaps Porzingis, but they still have assets left over to make another big deal. This time with the Blazers for Holiday. Let’s take a look at a potential trade.
NBA Trades: The Celtics land star Jrue Holiday in a deal with Portland.
Celtics Get
Jrue Holiday
Trail Blazers Get
Malcolm Brogdon, Al Horford
Payton Pritchard
2024 first-round pick (via Golden State)
2 second-round picks
The proposed deal would send Malcolm Brogdon, Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick to the Blazers in exchange for Holiday. The Celtics would be sacrificing depth in the deal, but perhaps not as much as one might think.
Brogdon is rumored to be upset with the team over their handling of his injury and having nearly traded him. That might make him expendable in a trade, especially for an upgrade.
On the other hand, veteran Al Horford is expected to start for Boston at center, but with Kristaps Porzingis and Robert Williams, they have enough depth to have Porzingis slide up a position and for Williams to be his backup. Neither player is particularly durable, but having to rely on a third big occasionally is worth it to add Holiday.
Even at age 32, in his 14th season, he had a career year, averaging 19.3 points while shooting 38.4% from three, as well as 5.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists. Factor in his defense, and he would be a huge get for Boston.
For Portland, they would continue to receive assets beyond what they received in the initial Lillard deal. Moving a player that the Blazers never intended to have join their team for a couple of valuable veterans, a decent rotation player, a first and a second, would be good return value for them.
In fact, they could move both Brogdon and Horford later for more picks, which should be what Portland would want in a deal for Holiday. Based on that, there should be interest from both teams in a deal. But, with several other playoff teams interested, the Celtics could have plenty of competition.
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Author: Cal Durrett
September 29, 2023 | 12:30 pm
