When Jrue Holiday was officially announced as a Boston Celtic six months ago, Brad Stevens couldn’t stop smiling.
“There’s a list of guys in the league that you always think you’ll never have a real chance to get that you think are perfect fits,” Stevens said, gleaming ear-to-ear. “Jrue is one of those guys.”
As the ink dried on Holiday’s four-year, $135 million extension with the Celtics Thursday morning, Stevens’ smile surely widened even more. The deal cements that the five-time All-Defensive selection will be sticking around throughout the team’s championship window, erasing any lingering doubts about his future with the team.
“I think since I came here, and kind of the situation how I got here – it’s only been love [from] the city of Boston. Not only that, but the organization made it super easy for us to kind of navigate and get through a time that was a bit stressful for us," Holiday said Thursday at the Auerbach Center. "So, just an appreciation. We love the city. We love this organization, the players in it, and what they stand for. [We’re] doing our best to try to get another banner.”
Holiday, who became eligible for an extension on April 1, was in ongoing discussions with the Celtics about extending his contract, and the negotiations went off without a hitch.
“It was an ongoing conversation,” the 33-year-old said on the extension process. “I thought it was pretty easy. I think, mutually, we kind of came to an agreement and felt like this was what was best for not only me but also the team. I just hope it works. I want to be here. I want to win multiple rings, and I’ve heard people say that here plenty of times. So, I’m ready for that.”
With the extension settled, the focus for Holiday and the Celtics shifts solely to pursuing their first of what they hope will be multiple championship rings this spring.
“I think so,” Holiday said when asked if it was important to sign the extension prior to the postseason. “I think knowing that whatever we build here, whatever happens this season, is just going to continue to grow and get better into the seasons after that. Honestly, I think during this time, yes, I was thinking about it, but I would say the most important thing for me is I just wanted to just continue to show the city, continue to show my team that I want to be here and I want to play, if I signed the contract or not.”
“Being able to lock into more years and get more time with the players and this organization. I’m just excited,” the two-time All-Star added. “I’m excited to be here and to move forward.”
There is certainly plenty for the Celtics and Holiday to be excited about looking forward. With Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Holiday extended – plus Tatum due for a supermax this season, the Celtics will have their core locked up for the foreseeable future.
“Once I got here or even once I knew I was getting traded here, this is part of what I wanted or what I envisioned: being in a great organization, being here for a lengthy amount of time, and being able to play along guys like JT and JB, and really try to get more banners [and] get more rings.”
In turning down a $37.3 million player option next season, Holiday is taking a pay cut, which increases the odds that Boston will be able to retain their top-6 core for at least one more season, as Svi Mykhailiuk, Luke Kornet, and Xavier Tillman will be Boston’s only unrestricted free agents this season – none of which should break the bank.
Derrick White remains under contract for one more, and like last offseason, they will likely negotiate a potential extension this summer.
With the introduction of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Celtics will face salary cap penalties and substantial financial obligations to maintain the team’s roster in the future. However, the Celtics are in the midst of a championship-contending phase, and ownership evidently prioritizes the team’s success over financial constraints.
However, for the rest of this season and next, the Celtics are focused on one thing: winning rings. Holiday, who won a championship with the Bucks in 2021, previewed what that might take.
“A little bit of luck, a lot of health, and a lot of mental fortitude, for us to be strong mentally,” the 14-year vet said. A lot of people, if a game goes wrong, if somebody misses a big shot or does something like that, you hear the noise. I think we’ve done a really good job as a team of blocking all that out, even when — I mean, we’re the number one team in the league — they have to find something to talk about. I think we’ve done a good job of just blocking out all the noise and sticking close as a team.”
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