Jrue Holiday expresses desire to retire with the Milwaukee Bucks

Jrue wants to be a Buck for life.

© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

There’s been a lot of talk regarding the future of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks, especially after he expressed a willingness to play on another team if he and the franchise aren’t on the same page about winning. Lost, though, in the all the hullabaloo is the future of All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday.

The two-way dynamo still has one more year left on his contract with a player option worth $37.4 million for 2024-2025, leaving some to speculate that he could be moved if the Bucks can’t negotiate an extension soon. However, Holiday recently revealed that if it were up to him, he would like to retire with the team.

Buck for life

Jrue was traded to the Bucks and immediately made an impact, helping Milwaukee clinch the NBA title that season. He had numerous memorable moments in that postseason run, especially on the defensive end of the floor.

With his contract up for an extension, the former UCLA star said he would love to remain in Milwaukee, as he firmly believes the team’s core has a unique opportunity to do something special.

“Before I even won here, I think I said I'm a Buck for life, and I mean that like deep in my heart. I don't want to play for any other team. I think we have a chance to continue to do great things as the Bucks team and organization, so I want to be in Milwaukee,” Jrue said in a talk with Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Crucial to the franchise

Given how significant Jrue’s role is with the Bucks, his future with the team will be crucial to the franchise going forward. As a major part of Milwaukee’s success over the past three seasons, Holiday has cemented himself as one of the top point guards in the league, and his ability to lead a team is second to none.

With Giannis putting Milwaukee’s front office on notice, it is incumbent on them to do what they can to keep Jrue around long-term. And with the kind of commitment he has shown thus far, it would be wise for them to ensure that happens.