Holiday’s extension caps an amazing journey so far
Jrue Holiday is happy he was able to sign a contract extension with the Celtics before the playoffs started.
The four-year, $135 million deal keeps Holiday under contract through the 2027-28 season. Holiday said there were conversations about the deal throughout the season. He feels that things went smoothly.
“Honestly, it’s a blessing.
This is my 15th year. I’m 33,” Holiday said. “The opportunity that God has given me to be able to already play for this many years and kind of lock it in for more, for me to be healthy, and for the organization just to see me and appreciate what I bring to the team is a blessing for me.
“At the end of the day, I am glad that we got it done before the playoffs. If it would have happened after, I still would have been happy. I still would have been locked in. But, just really happy and really blessed.”
The Celtics have their entire starting five and several top rotation players signed through the 2025-26 season. Knowing that the Celtics will keep their core intact is a plus, Holiday said.
“I think knowing that whatever we build here and whatever happens this season is just going to continue to grow and get better seasons after that,” Holiday said. “But, honestly, I think during this time — yes I was thinking about it but I would say the most important thing for me is that I wanted to just continue to show the city and my team that I want to be here and I want to play if I signed a contract or not.”
Holiday, who was acquired from the Trail Blazers via trade in October, said he’s grown to love Boston during the short amount of time that he’s been here.
“I think for the most part, since I came here and kind of the situation how I got here, it’s only been love,” said Holiday, who scored 7 points in the Celtics’ 118-109 loss to the Knicks.
“The city of Boston, not only them, but the organization made it super easy to navigate and get through a time that was a little bit stressful for us. So, it’s just an appreciation and we love the city. We love this organization, the players in it, and what they stand for. We’re doing our best to try to get another banner.”
Holiday won a title with the Bucks in 2021. He was asked what it would take for these Celtics to win it all.
“A little bit of luck, a lot of health, and I think a lot of mental fortitude for us to be strong mentally,” Holiday said. “A lot of people, if a game goes wrong or somebody misses a big shot or something like that you hear the noise.
“But, I think as a team we’ve done a really good job of blocking all that out. Even when we’re the No. 1 team and they have to find something to talk about, I think we’ve done a good job of just blocking out all the noise and sticking close as a team.”
Soccer influence
Coach Joe Mazzulla visited
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola in February. Mazzulla said at the time that he studies Guardiola and views him as one of the best coaches at any level in any sport.
Mazzulla was asked before Thursday’s game if there were any other European coaches who have influenced him.
“I would say the Europa League in general for like the last 10-12 years or so,” Mazzulla said. “There’s always been that relationship far as the things that are being played over there, the cutting, the pick-and-roll spacing, I would even say the fouling at the end of the game.
“Some of those trends have gone back and forth between the two, so no one in particular but I think the lens the Europa League is kind of coached and managed is something you could always learn from.”
Auerbach award
Derrick White was named the 2024 Red Auerbach Award winner. The award is given annually to the Celtics player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit of what it means to be a Celtic on and off the court.
Past winners include Jaylen Brown (2023), Jayson Tatum (2021), Paul Pierce (2006, 2013), and Kevin Garnett (2008, 2012).