Boston Celtics To Trade Jrue Holiday at NBA Trade Deadline: Top Four Landing Spots
THE BOSTON CELTICS WILL TRADE JRUE HOLIDAY
With that in mind, one key player could end up being traded that not many are expecting, and that is Jrue Holiday. TWSN analysts Marissa Myers and Alex Walsh go over the top four trade destinations for Holiday.
WHY THE CELTICS TRADE JRUE HOLIDAY?
Holiday has not played up to par. He is averaging just 11.1 points per game, 3.7 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 4.3 rebounds per game. With Holiday being 34, the best of his days may be behind him. While he is still playing at a serviceable level, the Celtics should look to trade him to get the value in return they need. His efficiency offensively is dipping, and the Celtics need to ensure if they are going to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, to have no weaknesses on their team.
TEAMS THE CELTICS COULD TRADE HOLIDAY TO
Orlando Magic-Alex
The Magic have been playing some of their better brands of basketball recently, compared to the last few years. They have two young superstars, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who play alongside a great supporting cast. They’ve had some good signings in free agency, but it still feels like they are a move away from elevating them to the next level. The Magic have a lot of young players and contracts that could be moved in a trade for a player like Jrue Holiday. Holiday would elevate the Magic’s defensive backcourt, and would be a great leader on one of the younger rotations in the league. Holiday has struggled in his role with Boston this year, and trading for a wing, like Jonathan Isaac, in addition to some other assets could be a move that helps both teams. Due to salary cap restrictions, this would likely be a three-team trade.
Houston Rockets-Alex
The Rockets are another one of the league’s young rising teams. They have a plethora of young talent, almost to the point where they can package some of their youth in a trade to upgrade certain positions. Jrue’s veteran leadership once again would be valuable in Houston. Although it’s unlikely, a package around Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams would be an intriguing deal for the Celtics. This would give the Celtics an experienced big who can give valuable minutes off the bench. The Rockets may choose to roll with the roster they have, in an early stage of their team’s success, but if they want to be aggressive, Holiday is the guy on the market to go after.
Memphis Grizzlies– Marissa
While the Celtics are second in the Eastern Conference, coming off winning the NBA Finals, they have played below expectations. The trade for Holiday paid off as it won them a championship, and while he brought great play, that play is quickly turning into a deficiency. With trading Holiday to the Grizzlies, Boston could look to get Marcus Smart and Santi Aldama in return. With Aldama on an expiring contract it would help balance this trade out with open up cap space. Not to mention one of the biggest things Boston has struggled with this season is Kristaps Porzingis staying healthy, Aldama would help provide reassurance that there won’t be a dip in production and easily slot in to replace him. Smart has been out since December with a finger injury, over the average 21.2 minutes he was playing before, he was averaging 9.2 points, 1.3 steals, 0.3 blocks, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game. Last season when Smart averaged 30.3 minutes he had 14.5 points, 2.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, 4.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds. With Smart being just 30, and having already played for Boston, he is ideal to trade for and bring back to replace Holiday.
Dallas Mavericks- Marissa
When the Dallas Mavericks made their blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, sending Luka Doncic in return for Anthony Davis, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison made the statement that he believes “defense wins championships”. With that, they need another point guard to fill Doncic’s spot, which is where Holiday comes in. While his offensive efficiency isn’t as fantastic anymore, his defensive presence is still appealing, enough so for the Mavericks to want to add that to their roster. For the Celtics, they could look to trade for someone like Daniel Gafford, who will resume the backup role again anyways once Dereck Lively is back. Gafford would be ideal once again as a fill-in for Porzingis or provide depth at forward behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown off the bench with his two-way ability.
