Boston Celtics veteran's future a very big subplot for current core
MassLive's Brian Robb called Jrue Holiday's future a "very big subplot" for the Boston Celtics as they aim to balance their future cap sheet with a current desire to compete for a championship in the short term affecting his 2024 free-agent situation.
"Holiday hasn’t really shown much drop-off on the floor either, at least on the defensive end," Robb prefaced before saying, "With that said, Holiday’s future is a very big subplot for this group. I doubt he will be able to command max money in his next deal but in a thin free agent market, he’s probably going to have a hefty price tag to retain. The Celtics have the inside track to negotiate with him (they can technically extend him in March) but whether they can afford to is about question for ownership with all the hefty deals coming down the pike for this core."
Holiday's efficiency has barely dropped in a decreased role with Boston in 2023-24, which actually increases his price tag. He's also willingly played out of position to help Joe Mazzulla overcome depth questions in the frontcourt.
The 33-year-old being a plug-and-play option makes him a worthy pursuit for all 29 other teams; not that all 29 other teams actually have a shot at poaching him, however. It's unclear what Holiday is looking for at this point in his career, but going from a championship Milwaukee Bucks squad to a contending Celtics team probably means he isn't looking to help a rebuilding team develop.
Teams that can sign away Jrue Holiday from Boston Celtics in 2024 free agency
Looking ahead to 2024 free agency, there's a handful of teams with the potential to open up cap space that can use a win-now veteran like Holiday. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, and Utah Jazz could continue their ascent up the ladder with a signing like Holiday, while the Philadelphia 76ers offer an intriguing reunion destination within the C's division.
Boston winning Banner 18 makes the decision to re-sign Holiday an easy one, but any other outcome could place the Celtics in an uncomfortable free agent situation.