Boston Celtics: Pros and cons of pursuing a Jrue Holiday trade

Verdict: Pass

Jrue Holiday could be an interesting get at the right price, that price figures to be way too high in almost any scenario. The Cs’ primary obstacle has always been thought to be in the paint. An elite big man–acquired in either the first round of the draft or in a trade–is what most fans should be praying to be thankful to Danny Ainge for this Thanksgiving.

If the move is to package picks in a coup into the top 10, James Wiseman is the reach target for Ainge and co. Onyeka Okongwu would be another great get in the first 10 choices of the 2020 NBA Draft.

If the Cs stay pat, Jalen Smith is likely the best-case scenario for the team at #14. Beyond that, Daniel Otoru could be had later on in the proceedings at #30 or in the second round. Boston is no stranger to shuffling things up in the later stages of the draft, mixing it up last year to end up with Carsen Edwards in the early second round.

Either way, Holiday plays a position that the Cs have an elite guard trio already in place with (3/4ths of “Team Shamrock” in Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart) and he is not enough of an upgrade to dismantle a team that may not need this drastic of a change to contend.