Does trading for Jrue Holiday improve the Celtics’ title chances?

The Boston Celtics quickly answered the Milwaukee Bucks’ acquisition of All-Star point guard Damian Lillard by acquiring an All-Star point guard of their own in Jrue Holiday. 

It has only been a few days since the Milwaukee Bucks made headlines by acquiring All-Star guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-team trade. Many, including yours truly, suggested that the Milwaukee Bucks may have emerged as title favorites.

What was the response from Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics?

Hold my beer. At least that’s what it seemed like with this most recent move.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Sunday morning that the Celtics acquired All-Star guard Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers. Center Robert Williams III and guard Malcolm Brogdon will join the Blazers.

Portland also acquired the 2024 first-round pick originally owned by the Golden State Warriors and Boston’s 2029 first-round pick in the deal.

Jrue Holiday brings championship-winning experience to the Celtics having won a ring with the Bucks in 2021. He’s a two-time NBA All-Star, five-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, and a three-time Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award winner.

The Trail Blazers acquired the 33-year-old guard in last week’s three-team blockbuster featuring Damian Lillard. Holiday has one year left on his contract at $36.9 million plus a $39.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season.

Acquiring Holiday allows the Celtics to keep up with the Bucks from a talent perspective in the Eastern Conference. To get something good one usually must give something good.

Did this trade really make the Boston Celtics better? Or are they worse off than they were early Sunday morning?