The Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers have negotiated a trade to obtain Julius Holiday as the 2023 offseason draws to a close

The Celtics are sending Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, and two first-round draft selections to Portland in exchange for Holiday.

In the recent massive three-team transaction that brought Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, Holiday was moved to the Trail Blazers.

Now that the Celtics signed Charles Lee as an assistant coach this offseason, the 33-year-old is back with his former assistant coach in Milwaukee.

This information is released just one week before the Celtics take against Holiday’s first NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers, in their opening preseason game of the season.

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As of right now, Holiday has established himself as a top perimeter defender. Holiday has a lifetime scoring average of 16.4 points per game and a three-point percentage of 34.6%.

The Celtics pride themselves on playing two-way basketball, so it’s clear that Holiday fits in there.

For the Celtics, acquiring Holiday is crucial since they had to replace Marcus Smart.

Holiday also adds championship experience to Boston, having won a 2021 championship with the Bucks. Holiday is currently the only member of the Celtics to have won a championship.

It’s uncertain if he’ll open the 2018 season as a sixth man, like Brogdon did, or not. In any case, Celtics supporters should be excited about him playing alongside Derrick White in the same backcourt the following season.

For the Celtics, what comes next?

The Celtics have one open roster space once more after trading for two players in order to acquire one.

With Williams III gone, the team will probably try to add more depth at the big man position.

The Celtics still have Luke Kornet and Al Horford on their roster despite adding Kristaps Porzingis to their squad this offseason. In September, Neemias Queta was also signed by the Celtics to a two-way contract.

The Final Word

Holiday proved to be the perfect Smart replacement for the Celtics. It’s reasonable to argue, though, that the team might have overpaid for him.

Even though there were rumors that Brogdon wasn’t thrilled in Boston, Celtics general manager Brad Stevens recently dispelled such rumors. It’s intriguing to trade him now that this is all out. However, Brogdon has a well-documented history of injuries, and it’s possible that the Celtics were unwilling to continue covering his hefty deal as a result.

Williams III turned out to be a valuable addition to the Celtics’ youthful core, therefore it was a good trade. Like Brogdon, though, his injury history is widely documented.

Last season, the 25-year-old only participated in 35 games, 20 of which he started. Williams III participated in all 20 postseason games, but he only started four of them.

Overall, the Celtics ought to be pleased that Holiday was granted. He is not just the best player in the deal, but his presence keeps other competitors from obtaining him.

If the Celtics overpaid for him, it will only become clear with time. Nevertheless, Holiday, who joined the Celtics recently, hopes to win another championship for Boston.