Two-time NBA champion sets record straight following offseason trade

In the summer of 2023, Jrue Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the Milwaukee Bucks' deal to acquire Damian Lillard. Holiday was quickly re-directed, with the Boston Celtics sending Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and two future first-round picks to the Pacific Northwest. 

In an ironic turn of events, two years after Holiday was first shipped to Portland, he found himself heading back to Oregon. Celtics general manager Brad Stevens struck a deal with the Trail Blazers, looking to shed his $32.4 million average annual salary. Boston received Anfernee Simons, who is on an expiring contract, as part of the trade.

During a recent discussion with Andscape's Marc J. Spears, Holiday shared his thoughts on being part of Portland head coach Chauncey Billups' team. 

“Everyone was assuming I was miserable or unhappy with it," Holiday told Spears. "But when I got the call from [Celtics president] Brad [Stevens], I was super excited. Being able to see the roster, the type of players, and the character that they have, going to a team like that means a lot. Young or veteran team, I know that a team with good character guys will always be a good situation.”

Holiday isn't the only accomplished veteran to land in Portland this summer. Interestingly, Lillard also signed a deal with the franchise after being waived by the Bucks. However, Lillard is unlikely to play much this season, as he recovers from an Achilles injury. 

Jrue Holiday can help solidify Trail Blazers' identity 

Last season, the Trail Blazers began to show signs of a genuine defensive identity. Billups' roster is full of young two-way talent, with Toumani Camara leading by example on the wing. 

Adding Holiday, arguably the best defensive guard in the NBA and a genuine winner, will further ingrain that identity into the rotation. Holiday will lead by example while improving Portland's offense and half-court creation. He's the ideal addition to a young roster looking to take the next step in its development. 

Holiday has already won two NBA championships. He's slowly coming to the end of his career. So, if his last act is to help usher in a new era in Portland, he will likely embrace it. If not, and he eventually moves on to shore up another contender, at least his time in Oregon can be viewed as a teaching moment for some of the NBA's younger talents. 

Either way, Holiday appears happy with his new situation, and that should help bring the best out of him and the Trail Blazers in the upcoming season.