Veteran guard Jrue Holiday and the Boston Celtics have agreed on a four-year, $135 million contract extension, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Holiday is declining his $37.3 million player option for 2024-’25 to ink the long-term deal. He’s been a seamless addition after arriving to the Eastern Conference leader via a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Holiday initially landed in Portland as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. He was dealt to Boston days later, which gave him just a few weeks to acclimate to the new environment. He’s averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and .9 steals in his first season with the team.
The 33-year-old joins a list featuring LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Al Horford as the fourth player to sign a guaranteed deal worth more than $100 million at his age or older, per ESPN.
The UCLA product was selected 17th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2009 NBA draft. He played four seasons with the team before spending seven years with the New Orleans Pelicans, followed by three campaigns with the Milwaukee.
Although his current scoring marks a career-low since his rookie year, he fills a key role on the Celtics’ defense, which is ranked second in the NBA. The Celtics are leading the league with a 62-17 record, which has positioned the revamped team for a deep playoff run.
Holiday couldn’t sign an extension longer than two years until after April 1 but it’s no surprise that he is being prioritized as a core member, since president of basketball operations Brad Stevens was candid about the organizations’ intentions with Holiday out of the gate.
“We’ve wanted him here for a long time. When the time comes and we’re allowed to talk about those types of things, this is something we hope can be a long-time relationship, obviously, beyond these years of his contract,” Stevens said during Holiday’s introductory news conference.
Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca added that the front office had been eyeing Holiday since his time in New Orleans, working hard to acquire him due to his potential as “a key piece to a championship team.”
This story will be updated.
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