Jrue Holiday’s time with the Boston Celtics came to an end back in June. Boston’s goals of financial flexibility got in the way of any sort of long-term relationship between the two sides. After just two seasons with the franchise, Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a cost-cutting move.
Though it was short-lived, Holiday appreciated his time with the Celtics and what he and his teammates were able to accomplish in winning the 2024 NBA Championship.
“It was great. Short-lived, but we did what we were supposed to do,” Holiday told Andscape’s Marc J Spears. “Obviously, things don’t always work out the way you want them to. But I’m blessed to still be playing this game.”
Jrue Holiday is excited for next chapter
The veteran guard played a major role in Boston’s success in 2024, though he was playing a smaller role than he was used to. Holiday averaged just 9.6 field goal attempts per game as a Celtic, a number less than every other season of his career besides his rookie year 2009-10.
His low usage didn’t mean that he wasn’t ready when his teammates needed him to rise to the occasion. Holiday put together some tremendous performances in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. He nearly earned a series MVP award in the Eastern Conference Finals with his heroics against the Indiana Pacers, and had a tremendous 26-point showing in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
These moments cemented Holiday as a great Celtic, even if he wasn’t going to be around for long.
Things are going to be different for Holiday in Portland. Instead of competing for championships, he’ll be hoping to help the Blazers’ young core navigate a loaded Western Conference and earn a spot in the Play-In Tournament.
It’s a challenge he’s looking forward to.
“Everyone was just talking about it. Nobody was really asking me about the trade,” he explained. “Everyone was assuming I was miserable or unhappy with it. But when I got the call from [Celtics president] Brad [Stevens], I was super excited.”
Holiday projects to be a great fit in Portland, for what it’s worth. The Trail Blazers were one of the league’s best defensive teams in the back half of the 2024-25 campaign. Adding a decorated defender of his caliber should only help them lean into that identity more.
“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.”
Celtics fans can get their lone look at Holiday and the Blazers when they visit TD Garden on January 26.