In his first year with the Boston Celtics, Jrue Holiday is experiencing his least productive season to date. Despite averaging just 12.6 points, his lowest since his rookie year, it is clear to anyone watching that Holiday is not slowing down as he approaches 34 years old.
Since joining the Celtics, Holiday has been impressively efficient, shooting 47.9% from the field and 43.3% from the 3-point line. With career-high averages of 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists, Holiday has proven to be invaluable in providing exactly what the team needs at critical moments.
While Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum shine as the Celtics’ stars, Kristaps Porzingis excels as the third option, and Holiday has played a key role in helping Derrick White to stand out. Despite having to make sacrifices, Holiday’s contributions have been instrumental in securing the team’s No. 1 seed with 60 wins this season.
However, the Celtics now face the challenge of determining the appropriate contract for Holiday, considering his age and slightly diminished production. Negotiations are underway, with NBA executives projecting a deal that may be close to his current salary of $39 million per year.
The consensus is that Holiday may not receive top dollar or a lengthy contract, given his age. Talks suggest a potential deal of three years at around $90 million, a compromise between what Holiday desires and what the team can reasonably afford while preparing for future contracts for other key players like Jayson Tatum and Derrick White.
Despite the financial considerations, the Celtics recognize Holiday’s leadership, defensive prowess, and overall impact on their success. While the negotiations may be challenging, it is likely that Holiday will ultimately receive a significant contract extension, reflecting his contributions to the team’s continued success.
