Trade Report: Celtics Land Jrue Holiday in Multi-Pick Deal with Trail Blazers
The Eastern Conference continues to load up.
The Boston Celtics have reportedly acquired Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers for two first-round picks, Malcolm Brogdon, and Robert Williams III, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal is essentially the second part of the Damian Lillard deal that sent the superstar point guard to the Milwaukee Bucks in return for Jrue Holiday.
Despite interest from the Toronto Raptors in Lillard, it was unlikely Toronto was going to pursue Holiday. The 33-year-old is a defense-first guard and wouldn’t have filled Toronto’s need for three-point shooting the way Lillard would have.
Now the Eastern Conference is led by juggernauts Boston and Milwaukee alongside the Philadelphia 76ers who have yet to deal James Harden despite his trade request. The Miami Heat return, albeit as a slightly diminished version of themselves, at least on paper. The Cleveland Cavaliers should take another step forward with development from Evan Mobley, and the New York Knicks continue to lurk as a team that could potentially go after a superstar at some point.
As for Portland, trading Lillard essentially netted the Trail Blazers three first-round picks, two pick swaps from the Bucks, Deandre Ayton, Williams, Brogdon, and second-round pick Toumani Camara.
It’s unclear exactly what the Raptors would have offered but it’s believed Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and likely O.G. Anunoby were never on the table, per Michael Grange. A deal would have been centered around Gary Trent Jr.
Further Reading
Raptors Sit at Crossroads With Questions Mounting After Missing on Damian Lillard Deal
Report: Damian Lillard's Disinterest in Toronto Proved a Trade Obstacle
Report: Milwaukee Bucks Land Damian Lillard in Blockbuster Deal
