The Boston Celtics have reached an agreement with star guard Jrue Holiday on a four-year, $135 million contract extension, according to his agent, Jason Glushon of Glushon Sports Management. The deal, which will keep Holiday in Boston through the 2027-28 season, comes after the veteran guard arrived in a blockbuster offseason trade that has helped propel the Celtics to the NBA's best record this season.
To secure the long-term deal, Holiday is declining his $37.3 million player option for the 2024-25 season. The extension not only ensures Holiday's future with the team but also saves the Celtics several million dollars on the salary cap next year, allowing them to keep together their talented and expensive core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and Holiday.
With this extension, Holiday joins an elite group of players who have signed guaranteed deals worth more than $100 million at age 33 or older, alongside LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and his teammate Al Horford. The timing of the deal mirrors Holiday's arrival and extension with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 season, where he went on to win an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the following months.
Although Holiday's scoring average has understandably dropped since joining the Celtics' star-studded lineup, he is shooting a career-best 43% from 3-point range, including an impressive 62% on corner 3s. If he maintains this level of efficiency, it would be the best over a season for any NBA player with 50-plus attempts in the past 25 years.
Holiday's defensive prowess remains a key asset for the Celtics, as he continues to be one of the most versatile and accomplished defenders in the league. The five-time All-NBA defensive selection has defended 19 players for 40-plus half-court matchups this season, including stars like New York's Jalen Brunson, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, and New Orleans' Zion Williamson, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
The extension further thins the upcoming free agent market, eliminating a player who would have been highly coveted throughout the league, especially in Philadelphia, where there is a possibility of a maximum salary slot opening up.
Boston's commitment to Holiday, who will be 37 in the final year of this contract, is a significant move that demonstrates their belief in his long-term value to the team. The Celtics, who have secured the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs and are considered one of the top two contenders for the championship alongside the Denver Nuggets, view Holiday as a crucial piece in their quest for a title.
Holiday's absence from the Milwaukee Bucks, his former team, has considerably weakened the defense of a chief rival in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks have not looked like a championship team this season, in part due to Holiday's departure.
