Unlike other trade sagas in recent history, the Jrue Holiday trade saga didn’t take long to unfold. The Blazers wasted no time flipping him before media day and definitely helped their direction. Changing the way I view the Blazers trade in the process. The Celtics landed Holiday in a somewhat surprising manner but the deal was mostly joyous for Celtics fans. Importantly this trade changes the Eastern Conference and NBA landscape. Notably the Celtics and Bucks matchup along with the favorite in the East. 

Full trade details:

Celtics receive: Jrue Holiday

Trail-Blazers: Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, 2024 First-Round pick via Warriors, 2029 First-Round Pick

Trade Grades: 

Celtics: A

The Celtics earned an A on this move. Holiday was the perfect missing link on this team and they now have the slight upper hand on the Bucks again. This move was the perfect response to the Bucks Damian Lillard trade and a championship trade. Holiday fits the Celtics need for another ball-handler and elite perimeter defender who can also shoot the three. On the Celtics, Holiday will be given the perfect role and will have less pressure to create allowing them to play his all-around game more.

This move makes the Celtics excellent at every position and perfectly sets them up to match up with Milwaukee. As for the players the Celtics gave up, Brodgon is solid obviously but didn’t want to be with Boston after the Porzngis trade mix-up with the Clippers and was also injury-prone. Brogdon’s injury will heavily influence his trade value and possible return as Portland looks to flip him. Williams is a talented center who is mandatory to include in this deal for salary and Portland interest. While many Boston fans find it hard to part with Williams, his injury history and the return make it worth it. The picks included one pick that is 5 years from now and another that isn’t their own belonging to the typically competitive Warriors. These factors make the deal a no-brainer.

Blazers: A- 

Pairing this with the Damian Lillard trade, give Portland a bump up from their initial B+ grade. I have to acknowledge Joe Cronin and the Blazers front office for remaining patient in this process ultimately finding the best deal possible. This could improve further with a possible Brogdon trade. The pick presents an interesting possibility. The duo of Robert Williams and Deandre Ayton is intriguing and exciting. It rounds out Portland’s core nicely and is a perfect positional fit. The picks also present future possibilities. This big man duo plus the plethora of young guards excites me about Portland. Ultimately the Dame trade presented the Blazers with a nice haul and that’s why you don’t settle.