Courtesy of ESPN
The Portland Trail Blazers are trading guard Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
The Celtics are trading Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, a protected 2024 first-round pick acquired from the Golden State Warriors and the team’s own 2029 unprotected first-rounder to the Blazers, according to sources.
Holiday was traded to Portland from Milwaukee on Wednesday as part of a three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Bucks.
The Celtics were among the teams at the very top of Holiday’s wish list in recent days and the expectation is that Boston is eager to retain him long-term, sources said. Holiday has a year left on his current contract.
The Celtics used a a significant trade package to beat out several teams in both conferences for the two-time All-Star’s services.
A five-time All-Defensive team selection, Holiday’s addition should mitigate the losses of Williams and point guard Marcus Smart, both of whom were traded this offseason to Portland and Memphis, respectively.
Sources said the Blazers intend to keep Williams, a defensive stalwart, to pair with fellow 25-year-old center Deandre Ayton. The No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, Ayton landed in Portland from Phoenix in Wednesday’s Lillard trade.
Brogdon’s long-term future with the Blazers is less certain as there has been interest in the veteran point guard, sources said, the expectation is that teams will be calling on him. The Blazers are committed to a group of young guards that features Anfernee Simons, who signed a four-year $100 million extension last summer; Shaedon Sharpe, who is entering his second season; and the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft Scoot Henderson.
