Jrue Holiday ‘Had Hopes’ Of Getting Traded To Celtics

Jrue Holiday told NBA reporters on Wednesday that he “had hopes” of getting traded to the Boston Celtics. The Portland Trail Blazers traded Holiday to the Celtics for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and multiple draft picks. The Blazers initially acquired Holiday from the Milwaukee Bucks in the blockbuster Damian Lillard deal.

“A few days ago, before I got traded, it was just kind of like where am I gonna land?” Holiday said. “I had hopes of being here and sometimes you don’t want to get your hopes up, just because you can get your heart broken that way. But once I ended up getting traded here, that’s what I was committed to. Again, a team that’s been close to winning championships, that has those banners up there and has one covered because of how rich this organization is. And winning is really, really important to me. And that’s the reason why I play, is to win.”

Holiday played in 67 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field, 38.4% from beyond the arc and 85.9% from the free-throw line.

“I feel like coming here is definitely my best chance of winning,” Holiday said. “And being able to help the guys here that have made big moves and done great things in this league. So I’m here to really just step up that game and become a champion.”

Holiday has career averages of 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Bucks. He has made five All-Defensive teams and two All-Star teams. Holiday helped the Bucks win the 2021 championship over the Phoenix Suns.

“Everyone here has been so gracious and graceful,” Holiday said. “Everybody’s tried to tell me where to live and find out what neighborhood to be in, and how close everything is. That’s just off the court, which I super appreciate because I’m all about family. My family is the most important thing to me.”