Boston Celtics Make Long-Term Commitment to Former Sixers Star

The Boston Celtics have locked in a former Sixers guard.

Nov 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) shoots against / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran guard Jrue Holiday will be a rival opponent of the Philadelphia 76ers for years to come. After spending time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Holiday found himself in the Atlantic Division, traded to the Boston Celtics.

From the beginning, the expectation was that the Celtics would lock-in Holiday long-term by offering an extension. On Wednesday, the Sixers’ rival put their money where their mouth is.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Holiday and the Celtics agreed on a four-year extension worth $135 million.

Holiday could’ve waited it out another year before extending. With a player option attached to his original contract, he could’ve returned to Boston for the 2024-2025 season while making $37.3 million. Or, the veteran had the option to decline and hit the free agency market.

The Sixers would’ve likely targeted a potential reunion with Holiday if the latter scenario came to life. When Holiday was initially traded to the Portland Trail Blazers over the offseason, the Sixers were reportedly interested in bringing on the veteran guard.

However, the Celtics won the sweepstakes as they shipped out Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon and draft picks in exchange for Holiday’s services.

It’s safe to say the Holiday trade has played out as desired for Boston. In 68 games, Holiday has averaged 13 points while shooting 48 percent from the field. From beyond the arc, Holiday has knocked down 43 percent of his shots on 4.7 attempts per game.

Team-wise, the Celtics have been the best regular season squad by far. By winning nearly 80 percent of their games, holding a 62-17 record through the final week of the regular season, Boston is gearing up for a playoff run as the Eastern Conference’s top seed.

Considering the Celtics’ success throughout the 2023-2024 season, it’s in their best interest to keep the star core together as long as possible. Holiday, a former 76ers standout, will remain a direct rival for seasons to come.