CelticsBlog · Oct 7, 2023
Jrue Holiday fills a Marcus Smart-sized hole
Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty ImagesWhen Marcus Smart was traded to Memphis to bring in Kristaps Porzingis, there were questions regarding whether Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard would be a good enough backcourt to get the job done. That concern intensified even more once Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks shot up to title favorites and the noise was whether or not Boston could handle the Bucks big three in Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Khris Middleton. Then Brad Stevens made another move acquiring Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trailblazers for Brogdon, Robert Williams, and draft picks.