Lauren Holiday opens up on her husband's trade from Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks' acquisition of seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard has ignited immense excitement in the city. Thousands of fans eagerly awaited Lillard's arrival, and the Bucks are now considered top contenders for this season's NBA Championship.

During the Bucks' media day, players and coaches alike exuded optimism. All-Star forward Khris Middleton even anticipates career-best seasons for himself, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Lillard.

The Heartfelt Departure

However, this blockbuster trade came with a tinge of disappointment, primarily concerning Jrue Holiday's inclusion. Jrue and his wife, Lauren, were beloved figures in Milwaukee's community, and their departure left a void felt by those they've touched.


Lauren Holiday's Emotional Revelation

As it turns out, it's not an easy transition for the Holidays either.

On a Wednesday evening, Lauren Holiday shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram:


In her post, Lauren emphasized the humanity of her family. Their children had just begun school and established friendships within the community.

Lauren further revealed that her husband went down for a nap and awoke to the shocking news of his trade. There had been no prior communication from the Bucks' organization hinting at his inclusion in the trade.

Behind-the-Scenes Trade Talks

Damian Lillard disclosed that Milwaukee entered serious trade discussions with the Portland Trailblazers two weeks before finalizing the deal. During that time, no one from the Bucks informed Jrue Holiday about the possible move.

A Tribute to Jrue Holiday

While Lillard's arrival significantly bolsters Milwaukee's championship aspirations, Holiday's absence won't go unnoticed. During media day, Giannis affectionately referred to him as the best person he's ever met, dubbing Holiday his "brother for life." Additionally, Holiday played a special role in Brook Lopez's wedding over the summer.

A Call for Transparency

In exchange for greatness like Lillard, someone equally great had to be sacrificed – in this case, it was Holiday.

Could the Bucks have alerted him to trade talks beforehand? Absolutely. Should they have? According to Lauren Holiday, the answer is a resounding yes. While it's understandable from a business perspective why they didn't (Giannis was also kept in the dark), it's hard to disagree with Mrs. Holiday's plea for respecting players and their families as fellow human beings.

The reality of the business world can be harsh, but Lauren Holiday's point is that it doesn't have to be this way.

Informing Holiday of the potential trade might not have changed the outcome, but it would have afforded him and his family the time to process, grieve, and bid their farewells.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel