The Boston Celtics already have the best record in the NBA this season and strengthened their roster for years to come with a four-year, $135 million contract extension with guard Jrue Holiday, according to multiple reports.
The Celtics will now have Mr. Holiday under control through the 2027–28 season.
Mr. Holiday is a solid all-around player who made this year’s Eastern Conference All-Star team. He was also named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team selection with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023.
In his first season in Boston, Mr. Holiday was the starting point guard, taking the place of Marcus Smart, who was sent to Memphis during the offseason in a three-team trade. Mr. Holiday averaged 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. He shot 48.1 percent from the field and 43.1 percent from 3-point range. Mr. Holiday ranks seventh in the NBA in three-point percentage.
Mr. Holiday also leads a Celtics defense that ranks second in the NBA.
The Celtics are 62–17 and have clinched home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs. Mr. Holiday has played a key role in that surge to the postseason. The key for Boston is to stay healthy to make a run to the NBA finals because there is nothing else to play for during the 2023-24 regular season.
On Sept. 27, the Bucks traded Mr. Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, and a 2029 first-round draft pick was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-team deal.
On Oct. 1, Mr. Holiday was traded to the Celtics in exchange for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, and two future first-round draft picks. Mr. Holiday averaged 19.3 points and 7.4 assists in his final season in Milwaukee.
Mr. Holiday was also a vital part of a Bucks team that won the 2021 NBA Championship title by averaging 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.7 assists in 23 postseason games. Mr. Holiday also won a Gold Medal with Celtics’ guard Jayson Tatum and Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics averaging 11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
The Celtics have not won a championship since 2008. However, Boston is one of the most storied franchises in the NBA and has made 23 appearances in the conference finals—more than any other team. Boston has won 10 Conference titles, the second most of any team.
