Boston Celtics retaining marquee offseason addition ‘remains to be seen’

There is not full certainty as to whether or not Jrue Holiday will remain with the Boston Celtics beyond the 2023-24 season according to MassLive’s Brian Robb — who relayed that it “remains to be seen” whether or not a long-term extension will be hammered out between the Cs and their late-offseason trade splash.

“Whether the team will be able to retain Holiday on a long-term deal remains to be seen (they can’t negotiate until 6 months after the deal was completed), but pulling off a major trade preemptively in October has to be seen as a success already in the wake of this week’s injury developments with Robert Williams in Portland,” Robb wrote.

Holiday has been exactly what the Celtics bargained for when they took a chance on his expiring pact. With averages of 13.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on the season through seven games, and having shown the willingness to take on assignments like Joel Embiid, Holiday has been one of the C’s complementary glue pieces; he along with Derrick White, who combined with Holiday, have helped aid the trio of 20+-point scorers Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis have been.

Lack of bench production could hurt the Boston Celtics’ chances of keeping Jrue Holiday

It’s likely that Holiday, the latest addition to the team who, unlike Porzingis, isn’t locked up long-term, would be the first one the team considers parting ways with should this current team not raise Banner 18 in the TD Garden rafters in the fall of 2024.

The only reason why this team wouldn’t achieve that, though, is the second unit.

Boston’s bench has seen severe struggles from the likes of recently-re-signed Payton Pritchard, Al Horford, and supposed Grant Williams replacement Oshae Brissett; three pieces relied upon heading into the season to carry the load for a top-heavy lineup. While Luke Kornet is a tough player to score on, it’s a stretch to think he’d be able to handle a Nikola Jokic matchup in a potential Finals should Porzingis be in foul trouble.

The bench, indirectly, could cost a future for Holiday in Boston. Brad Stevens can’t let that happen.