Jrue Holiday and the Celtics reach a deal for a 4-year extension

Following a blockbuster offseason trade, Jrue Holiday, guard for the Boston Celtics, has reached an agreement on a four-year, $135 million contract extension, as confirmed by his agent, Jason Glushon of Glushon Sports Management, to ESPN on Wednesday.

Glushon stated that Holiday has opted out of his $37.3 million player option for the 2024-25 season to secure a long-term contract that will keep him with the team until the 2027-28 season.

Although the Celtics announced Holiday's extension on Thursday, they did not disclose the financial details.

Holiday's extension provides the Celtics with significant savings on the salary cap for the upcoming season and helps maintain a talented yet expensive core group consisting of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and Holiday. This core has propelled the franchise to the top record in the NBA this season. With Holiday's extension, the Celtics are projected to function as a second apron team in 2024-25, limiting their options in free agency and trades by surpassing the highest payroll threshold.


Holiday will join the ranks of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Al Horford as the fourth player to sign a guaranteed deal worth over $100 million at the age of 33 or older. Despite a decrease in his scoring average upon joining the Celtics' star-studded lineup, Holiday has achieved a career-best 43% shooting accuracy on 3-pointers, including an impressive 62% from the corner 3s. This performance would be the best for any NBA player with 50 or more attempts in the past 25 years.

He continues to showcase his versatility and defensive prowess, frequently defending guards, forwards, and centers this season. For instance, Holiday, a five-time All-NBA defensive selection, has defended against 19 players in 40 or more half-court matchups this season, including Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.

Holiday joined the Celtics in September through a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, following several days spent in the aftermath of a three-way deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. The extension further reduces the pool of free agents, removing a highly sought-after player like Holiday from the market, particularly in cities like Philadelphia, where there is the potential for a maximum salary slot.

Source ESPN: Jrue Holiday agrees to 4-year, $135M extension with Celtics