Jrue Holiday is having his least productive season statistically in his first year with the Boston Celtics Boston Celtics. He’s He is scoring an average of 12.6 points, which is the lowest since his rookie year, but his performance shows no sign of slowing down at the age of 34His efficiency has been remarkable since joining the Celtics, with a field goal percentage of 47.9% and a 3-point percentage of 43.3%. He's also averaging 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists, proving to be a valuable asset to the team
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are the main stars of the Celtics. Kristaps Porzingis is considered the best third option. Holiday has willingly supported Derrick White to shine and has played a significant role in the team's success, holding the No. 1 seed in the NBA with 60 wins traded to Boston, shooting 47.9% from the field and 43.3% from the 3-point line on the year. He’s averaged 5.5 rebounds (a career high) and 4.9 assists, and has shown a remarkable ability to give the Celtics just what they need at a given moment.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are the Celtics stars. Kristaps Porzingis is the best third option going. Holiday has willingly helped Derrick White to shine. He has had to sacrifice to make all that happen, and he is a major factor in the team sitting with 60 wins and easily holding the No. 1 seed in the NBA this year.
The Celtics are faced with the challenge of deciding how much to pay Holiday given his age and reduced production
Celtics should observe how playoffs unfold
This is based on the opinions of executives tasked with projecting Holiday’s potential deal. They are cautious about starting contract negotiations now, considering the uncertain short-term future. NBA executives who were tasked with the challenge of projecting what Holiday’s deal might look like. It’s not easy because Holiday is in a unique situation, and though Holiday and his people are able to start talking with the Celtics now about a contract, there still might be some hesitancy to go too far down the new-contract path here in the short term.
“I think you need to see how things look in the playoffs,” one Eastern Conference GM told Heavy Sports. “It’s risky because if they roll through to the Finals and win that easily, you’re under pressure to give him a big contract. But at the same time, you give Jrue Holiday a big deal now, and they flame out in the playoffs, lose in the second round, then where are you?”
The consensus is, of course, that Holiday won’t get the max value he could get, which would be a deal starting at $51 million. He won’t get the max number of years, either, not at his age.
The team will aim for a two-year deal while Holiday will push for four years. A middle ground option of three years with a mutual option is being considered as a point of contention
Jrue Holiday aiming for a $100 million contract?
Holiday is expected to opt out of his current $39 million deal and negotiate for a deal close to that amount per year. The Celtics must also consider upcoming mega-extensions for Jayson Tatum and Derrick White's new deal, impacting their financial decisions.
The Celtics are facing financial challenges with Tatum's extension and White's new deal, potentially leading to penalties unless they make major changes to the roster
A Western Conference executive suggested a three-year deal worth $90 million for Holiday. Since there's not much competition in the free-agent market for Holiday, it's likely that the negotiations will primarily involve the Celtics and Holiday
Even so, anticipate a high number of zeros.
“I believe he will demand $100 million, you have to pay for the value you're receiving,” the East GM said. “He's providing you with all this guidance, the defense, and all these small details that lead to victories. The tax bills will be painful. But that might be the eventual outcome of all this.”
