This morning time, reputable journalist Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that defender Jrue Holiday has agreed to extend his contract with the team at the top of the NBA rankings Boston Celtics.
The two sides reached an agreement to stay for another 4 years with a contract worth a total of 135 million USD. This contract extension will take effect starting from the 2024-25 season, helping Boston’s PG and defensive specialist pocket an average of $33.75 million per year.
Jrue Holiday came to the Boston Celtics in the summer of 2023 in a blockbuster exchange contract between the Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers. To have Jrue’s services, Boston had to give up former Rookie of The Year Malcolm Brogdon, center Robert Williams and two first-round picks.
Now 33 years old, Jrue Holiday is the NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. In addition, he was an NBA All-Star twice and was honored three times in the All-NBA Defensive Team.
Jrue is highly appreciated for his ability to control the game, and is also a perimeter defense expert with the ability to read situations very well. This season Holiday is averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.
Renewing Jrue Holiday, the Boston Celtics have retained another star they acquired from the summer transfer of 2023.
Previously, Kristaps Porziņģis joined Boston in a three-way trade between the Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. Just arriving at the Celtics, Porziņģis extended his contract for another 2 years with the TD Garden team, receiving an average of 30 million USD per year.
There is one thing in common between Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis: both stars accepted a salary cut to stay with the Boston Celtics long term. These two players simultaneously reduced their salaries from more than 37 million USD to approximately 30 million USD (not including bonuses).
After successfully tying up Holiday, the Boston Celtics will turn their attention to Derrick White, who plays right next to Jrue in the defenders. White was offered an extension half a year ago, but he did not agree because the two sides could not find common ground on salary.
It’s even harder for the Celtics when Derrick White is having the best season of his career. If he becomes a free player, he will likely face many lucrative offers from other teams.
Next season, Derrick White will enter the final year of his current contract with a salary of $18.8 million. This number can completely increase to around $25 million for the 1994-born defender, especially with what he has been showing this season.
