Jrue Holiday expressed gratitude Sunday for how Boston Celtics president Brad Stevens handled his offseason trade to Portland. Stevens alerted Holiday early in the offseason that a trade was possible, providing advance warning before the deal materialized in June.
The Celtics sent Holiday to the Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons as part of a salary-cap driven restructuring. Boston also traded Kristaps Porzingis and lost Al Horford and Luke Kornet in free agency to get under the NBA’s second apron.
“Brad communicated that (a trade was possible), and I appreciate him for it – that it was a possibility,” Holiday said. “He even said that it might not happen; we don’t know. So, just the fact that … I mean, Brad being Brad, but him having hard conversations and being able to say something like that, I respect him.”
Holiday said he recognized the Celtics would need significant roster changes after losing to the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. The team’s championship core disbanded quickly following Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles.
Portland had previously acquired Holiday in 2023, but he requested a trade to a contender. The Blazers respected his wishes and dealt him to Boston. This time, Portland acquired Holiday to keep him long-term.
“I was surprised because I didn’t think it was an option,” Holiday said. “But again, them circling back to come get me, meaning they wanted me, and I loved that.”
Holiday has played just 12 games this season due to a calf injury. When healthy, he has averaged 16.7 points, 8.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game in a prominent role.
“I think you’re never really surprised by anything much anymore,” Holiday said. “So, I wouldn’t say I was surprised, but also just it’s a part of it. It’s a part of this life.”