Playing in the NBA is a dream job for many people. Playing a sport you love seems like a great way to spend your time working, but the business side of the league can certainly be a lot to deal with.
A player could love the team he plays for, signing a deal with them in free agency and building roots in the city for it to just be uprooted out of nowhere. That is what point guard Jrue Holiday felt before the 2023-24 season.
Rumors were swirling that the Portland Trail Blazers were going to trade star point guard, Damian Lillard. The usual suspects, such as the Miami Heat, were mentioned as landing spots. But, somewhat out of nowhere, the Milwaukee Bucks emerged as a suitor.
They shockingly pulled off a deal, landing Lillard to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo as the newest star duo in the Eastern Conference. It was a trade Holiday has accepted, as the Bucks need to do what they feel is best to contend for a championship.
However, what Holiday is still upset about is how the trade went down. When making an appearance on Draymond Green’s podcast, Holiday revealed that he wasn’t given much notice about the deal, as it took him by surprise.
“It was just a shock because at least let me know 24 hours in advance, not five minutes in advance. … I mean, we won. I won there,” Holiday said.
Holiday revealed that when the trade was going down, he was actually asleep. Bucks’ general manager Jon Hurst was attempting to get a hold of him, but Holiday said he would call him back as he was in a deep nap.
But, a call from his agent, Jason Glushon, got Holiday’s attention and woke him up. During that whirlwind, he found out that he had been traded to the Trail Blazers in a three-team deal that also included the Phoenix Suns.
Holiday wasn’t long for Portland, as they re-routed him just four days later. That is how he ended up with the Boston Celtics , who acquired in him exchange for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon and two first-round picks.
Things turned out well for Holiday in the end, as the Celtics have been the best team in the NBA this season. But, this is yet another example of how cold the business side of the league can be. Holiday was happy to be in Milwaukee, and now he will be trying to keep them from winning a championship with his new team.
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