Posted on: October 2, 2023, 11:57h.
Last updated on: October 2, 2023, 11:58h.
The Portland Trail Blazers have made a significant trade, sending point guard Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics. This trade comes just days after the Trail Blazers acquired Holiday in a blockbuster deal involving All-Star Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks.
As a result of the trade, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are now seen as co-favorites to win the 2023-24 NBA championship, with odds of +400. They are also considered co-favorites to win the Eastern Conference, with odds of +180.
Jrue Holiday, a 33-year-old point guard, made a significant impact with the Bucks last season, averaging 19.3 points and 7.4 assists per game. He was also selected for last year’s NBA All-Star Game and has been named to the All-NBA Defensive team five times.
In exchange for Holiday, the Celtics sent center Robert Williams III, point guard Malcolm Brogdon, and two first-round draft picks (2024 and 2029) to the Trail Blazers.
The Bucks briefly held the top spot in the futures market after the Damian Lillard trade, but the Celtics quickly caught up after their trade for Holiday.
Numerous teams were vying for Holiday’s services, including the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and New York Knicks. However, the Celtics outbid them all to secure the deal.
Celtics Revamp Roster
The Celtics reached the NBA Finals just two seasons ago but fell short against the Golden State Warriors. Last season, they secured the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference but were eliminated in the Conference Finals by the Miami Heat after a grueling seven-game series.
General manager Brad Stevens is determined to build a championship-contending team around star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics have been extremely active in the offseason, making several roster moves.
In a three-team deal with the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks, the Celtics traded point guard Marcus Smart and acquired center Kristaps Porzingis.
The Celtics also gained two second-round draft picks in a sign-and-trade deal involving forward Grant Williams and the Dallas Mavericks.
In their trade with the Trail Blazers, the Celtics brought in Jrue Holiday and gave up Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and two first-round draft picks. Brogdon was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year with the Celtics last season, but injuries hampered his performance in the playoffs. The Celtics sacrificed rim protection and defensive versatility with Williams III in order to strengthen their perimeter defense with Holiday.
The Celtics’ starting lineup for the upcoming season will feature Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown in the backcourt, and Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford in the frontcourt.
Last season, the Celtics won 57 games, and this season, they have an over/under win total set at 55.5.
The Celtics are currently the consensus favorites to win the Atlantic Division for the third consecutive season, with odds of -225.
Trail Blazers GM Active in Trade Market
The Miami Heat were among the teams interested in trading for Damian Lillard, but they missed out when the Trail Blazers accepted a more valuable offer. The Heat had offered two first-round draft picks, guard Tyler Hero, second-year forward Nikola Jovic, and rookie swingman Jamie Jaquez.
Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin successfully achieved his goal of trading Lillard before the NBA’s Media Day on October 2. In addition to acquiring Jrue Holiday, the Trail Blazers obtained three first-round draft picks and two first-round swaps in various trades.
The Trail Blazers also added center Deandre Ayton and rookie forward Toumani Camara from the Phoenix Suns, as well as Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III from the Celtics.
In order to complete the Lillard trade with the Bucks, the Trail Blazers had to part ways with center Jusuf Nurkic, forward Nassir Little, and guard Keon Johnson, who were all sent to the Suns.
While the Trail Blazers intend to keep Robert Williams III, there is speculation that they may still trade him. The New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks have expressed interest in his defensive skills.
Impact on NBA Futures Market
After losing to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat initially had odds of +2000 to win the championship in the following season. These odds decreased to +900 after Damian Lillard expressed his desire to be traded to the Heat. The Heat were considered top contenders for the title based on these trade rumors and were consistently in the top four on the futures board during the off-season, trailing the Nuggets (+475), Celtics (+500), Phoenix Suns (+650), and Bucks (+900).
After the Bucks acquired Damian Lillard, the Heat’s championship odds dropped to +2800. Following the Jrue Holiday trade, their odds fell as low as +3000.
The Miami Heat were among the teams interested in acquiring Jrue Holiday, but the Celtics quickly secured the deal. The Heat currently have odds of +1300 to win the Eastern Conference but are ranked fifth on the futures board.
The Heat remain the favorites to win the NBA Southeast division, with odds of -180. They are followed by the Atlanta Hawks (+210), Orlando Magic (+800), Charlotte Hornets (+3500), and Washington Wizards (+15000). The Heat are seeking their third consecutive division title and have won the NBA Southeast division nine times in the last 13 seasons.