A Woj bomb shook the foundations of the Boston Celtics fanbase on April 10 with the announcement that Jrue Holiday signed a four-year, $135 million extension with the Cs 10 days before the start of the NBA playoffs.
As ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski pointed out, Holiday joined rarified air with his historic extension at the age of 33.
"Holiday will become the fourth player to sign a fully guaranteed deal worth more than $100 million at 33 or older – a list that also includes LeBron James, Steph Curry and Al Horford," Wojnarowski wrote just after breaking the story.
Boston Celtics get an A grade for Jrue Holiday extension because of its timing
Getting Holiday at $135 million isn't exactly a steal, since he didn't take much of a paycut from his $37 million salary for the 2024-25 season, but the timing of it makes it a total win for the Celtics; who know don't have to worry about any chemistry issues in the offseason with all their key pieces locked in for at least next season.
The one question mark is Derrick White, who now seems to be the odd man out in the offseason if the Cs fall short. Expect a White trade if Boston somehow bows out before the Finals or Eastern Conference Finals. If the team wins, White may be entitled to ask for a similar salary figure over as many years, potentially bloating the team's payroll to a somewhat asinine degree. Ditto for Kristaps Porzingis, who will be getting $3-4 million less over the next years than a player he has outperformed in 2023-24.
In truth, though, no one should be expecting a trade in the offseason. Holiday's long-term future being secure could be the chemistry-sealing move Brad Stevens needed to make before the Celtics embarked on their most important playoff run in recent memory.
Banner 18 feels closer than ever with the team's lone champion getting perhaps his final big payday just before the playoffs. That's going to be a happy man who will be ready to produce.