Celtics Acquire All-Star Jrue Holiday in Trade with Trail Blazers, Shaking Up Eastern Conference

London, 1st October 2023: In a move that intensifies the competition in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics have successfully traded for All-Star guard Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers, according to ESPN sources. The Celtics are parting ways with center Robert Williams III, guard Malcolm Brogdon, and two future first-round draft picks slated for 2024 and 2029.

This trade comes on the heels of Portland’s earlier blockbuster deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and brought Holiday to the Blazers. Portland had acquired Holiday with the explicit intention of trading him to the highest bidder.

Boston is keen on securing Holiday, 33, for the long term, especially with his free agency approaching in 2024. The addition of Holiday, known as one of the NBA’s top two-way guards, could potentially position the Celtics as the new preseason favorites in the Eastern Conference, overtaking the Bucks.

Holiday’s credentials include a significant role in the Bucks’ 2021 NBA championship and a spot on the 2023 Eastern Conference All-Star team, breaking a nine-year All-Star appearance drought—the longest in NBA history.

As for the Trail Blazers, they are likely to retain Williams to team up with new center Deandre Ayton. Brogdon, however, may be on the trading block again soon. If no further trades occur, Brogdon will begin the season in Portland, joining a young guard lineup that includes recent draft picks Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, as well as Anfernee Simons, who inked a $100 million extension last summer.

The Blazers have already amassed a substantial haul from their Lillard trade, including Ayton, Williams, Brogdon, and multiple first-round picks, along with pick swaps with the Bucks for 2028 and 2030.