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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

The Boston Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday from Portland in the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade. The Cs were hoping to get him to stay for a longer term from the get-go. And it seems like their wish came true. The latest update about Holiday comes as good news for all Celtics fans.

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Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweeted, BREAKING: After arriving in a blockbuster offseason trade, Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday has agreed on a four-year, $135 million contract extension, his agent Jason Glushon of @GlushonSM tells ESPN.

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The new contract makes him the 4th player who is 33 years or older to ink a guaranteed $100 million plus contract. This easily puts him in the league of NBA superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Also on the list is a fellow teammate, Al Horford. Holiday’s agent said the 33-year-old declined his $37.3 million player option for 2024-25 to sign a long-term contract with Boston. This move came with a great incentive for the team as well.

The Celts save millions in cap next year while allowing them to keep their expensive core of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jayson Tatum together. Boston is currently sitting at the helm with the best record in the league.

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Given the talents that the franchise boasts and the long-term seal of Jrue Holiday now, they might just continue to play at the highest level like this year, for many more seasons. Holiday’s game is proof of that. The 3x All-Defensive First-Teamer continues to play at an elite level. According to ESPN Stats & Information Research, Holiday has defended 19 players for 40+ half-court matchups this season. And they fall alongside the likes of Zion Williamson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jalen Brunson.

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Of course, there has been a drop in his points per game, but that was a given considering the number of efficient scorers in the team. But the man is shooting a career-best 43.1% from the three-point line. On the flip side, though, with the Holiday extension, the chances of the Celtics being a second-apron team in the coming season look realistic. Interestingly, his decision looks similar to a tried and tested method of the past.

Jrue Holiday might be banking on the repetition of his championship season with the Bucks

In November 2020, a very similar scenario played out in the Milwaukee Bucks. Jrue Holiday arrived at the “Cream City” in a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. He took his time in finding his footing and getting comfortable with the Bucks before finally deciding to sign a four-year, $135 million extension with them. It turned out to be the best decision. Holiday finished that season with his first ring in the league.

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Sound familiar? But it didn’t stop there. The 2x All-Star won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA to complete the look. The Celtics are the favorites to clinch a title this season, as well. Not to mention, USA’s efforts in getting Jrue Holiday on board paid off. So we are likely looking at his second ring and another medal.

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What do you think the outcome of this will be? Will Jrue Holiday see a repeat of the 2020-21 season? Let us know your thoughts on the subject below.

Read More: Jrue Holiday, Who Ditched Pelicans to Chase 1st Ring, Rekindles His Love After Honest Bucks Trade Revelation

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Geisha Pulimoottil Don

1,727 Articles

Geisha P. Don is an NBA Editor at EssentiallySports, where she manages a team of five reporters. A literature graduate, she brings a writer's empathy to her coverage, delving into the human side of athletes' lives. In her two years with the organization, she has handled high-stakes coverage of major events, including the 2024 NBA Finals and the Paris Olympics. Her distinct editorial voice combines on-court action with a keen focus on off-court culture, from player fashion and trade season drama to the personal stories that surround the game. Geisha believes athletes are more than just players, and her coverage of figures like Savannah James and Ayesha Curry reflects her broader appreciation for the NBA’s entire ecosystem. She is also an experienced journalist in live-event coverage and play-by-play commentary through Live Blogs. A devoted Golden State Warriors fan, Geisha's interests extend beyond basketball to crime thrillers and K-dramas.

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Daniel D'Cruz

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