Yardbarker
x
Jrue Holiday Wasn't Happy With How Milwaukee Handled The Damian Lillard Trade
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

In a recent appearance on the 'Draymond Green Show,' Jrue Holiday opened up about his unexpected trade from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Portland Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard. 

"I'm taking a nap. I see the text, I see a call from the GM and I'm like, I'll call him back. Like I'm deep in this nap too. I'm saying it's a good one. And then two seconds later, my agent calls me. So I pick up this call. He's like, you talked to him? I'm like, nah bro, I'm sleeping." 

"He's like, well, you just got traded, so you should probably call him back. And then I ended up looking at my phone, he ended up texting me everything that was happening, like, yeah, we traded you here, here. And then I ended up calling him, and he ended up saying like, yeah, we traded you for Damian Lillard."

"So I also had no clue. I think for me, it was just a shock because at least let me know 24 hours in advance, not five minutes in advance. And maybe I'm asking for too much. It's kind of like, I mean, I won there." 

Holiday recounted the moment he found out about the trade, describing how he was deep in a nap when he received a call from the Bucks' general manager and chose to ignore it, assuming he could return the call later. However, his agent quickly contacted him, revealing the surprising news of the trade. Holiday expressed his shock at the lack of advance notice, highlighting that he received the information mere minutes before it became public knowledge.

The abrupt nature of the trade left Holiday feeling blindsided, emphasizing that he would have appreciated more time to process the news and prepare for the transition. Despite his success with the Bucks, including winning a championship with the team, Holiday found himself traded without prior warning, leaving him with mixed emotions about the sudden change.

Following his trade with the Blazers, Holiday was traded once again, this time to the Boston Celtics. Despite the initial shock of the trade from the Bucks, Holiday has adjusted well to his new team and is contributing significantly to the Celtics' success. As a key player for the Celtics, Holiday is averaging 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc.

With the Celtics boasting the best record in the league at 57-15, Holiday finds himself in a favorable position to compete for his second NBA title. Despite the unexpected twists and turns in his journey, Holiday remains focused on contributing to his team's success and making the most of his opportunities on the court.

The Celtics Trumped The Bucks Move For Damian Lillard And It's Paying Off

The Boston Celtics made a strategic move in response to the Milwaukee Bucks' acquisition of Damian Lillard, positioning themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference race. When Lillard joined the Bucks, it shifted the landscape of the East, making them instant favorites for the championship title. The combination of Lillard's scoring prowess and Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominant presence on the court solidified the Bucks as formidable opponents.

However, the Celtics, recognizing the need to bolster their roster in response to the Bucks' move, executed a brilliant counterstrategy. Anticipating that Jrue Holiday might seek an exit from the Portland Trail Blazers, who were in a rebuilding phase, the Celtics swiftly pursued him as a valuable addition to their team. This strategic move has paid off handsomely for the Celtics, propelling them to the top of the league standings.

Currently, the Celtics boast the best record in the NBA, a testament to their exceptional performance on both ends of the court. Their offensive firepower, combined with their stellar defensive capabilities, has propelled them to the forefront of the league. Statistically, the Celtics have the most potent offense in the NBA, while also ranking second in defensive efficiency. Their net rating rivals that of historic championship teams, underscoring their dominance and potential for postseason success.

The acquisition of Jrue Holiday has been instrumental in the Celtics' resurgence and ascent to the top of the league standings. Holiday's leadership, defensive prowess, and playmaking abilities have provided a significant boost to the Celtics' roster, complementing the talents of their existing core players. With Holiday's contributions and the cohesive team effort displayed by the Celtics, they have emerged as legitimate contenders for the NBA championship.

The Celtics' strategic move to acquire Jrue Holiday in response to the Bucks' acquisition of Damian Lillard has proven to be a masterstroke. As the best team in the league with a potent offense and stifling defense, the Celtics are primed for a deep postseason run and have firmly established themselves as title contenders.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.