With his new contract extension settled, Jrue Holiday couldn’t be more in love with the Celtics and Boston
"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"
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 with Boston 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,” Holiday said. “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.”
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 has been 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).
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