Home Basketball 🏀 Celtics’ Jrue Holiday reacts to Bucks’ Damian Lillard trade: ‘A Warning Would’ve Been Cool’ 😮💔 #NBA #TradeTalks

🏀 Celtics’ Jrue Holiday reacts to Bucks’ Damian Lillard trade: ‘A Warning Would’ve Been Cool’ 😮💔 #NBA #TradeTalks

Basketball — 11/23/2023



CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 20: Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 20, 2023 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images

Prior to his season-opening matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, Jrue Holiday expressed no resentment regarding his trade for Damian Lillard and subsequent arrival at the Boston Celtics.

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Holiday said he’s not angry, but a “warning would’ve been cool” in remarks to reporters on Wednesday.

“I can’t be upset about it since I believe they got what they desired. A heads-up would have been nice, he added. “But other than that, I’m in the best place that I can be to compete against them, which is for the top team in the East and, hopefully, the top team in the league.”

On September 27, Lillard was acquired by the Bucks from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade that also included the Phoenix Suns.

Holiday was included in the package that was traded for Portland. On October 1, the Blazers traded the two-time All-Star to the Celtics.

Jrue’s wife and former star of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, Lauren Holiday, posted on Instagram about the emotional toll that trades have on athletes and their families. She noted that their kids had just begun school in Milwaukee and that they had not been given any “warning” that a transfer was imminent.

In November 2020, Milwaukee first acquired Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans. The 33-year-old was a huge success with the Bucks, winning an NBA championship with them in his rookie campaign.

In each of his three seasons with the Bucks, Holiday was named to the All-Defensive team; in the 2022–2023 season, he was named to his second career All-Star squad.

Holiday has adjusted to the Celtics well, considering the unexpected upheaval in his life before to the season. In a game, he averages 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.

Boston had the best record (11-3) and net rating (plus-10.8) in the NBA going into the contest. After a sluggish start to the season, Milwaukee has won five straight games and is now tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference (10-4).

The season opener between the two dominant teams in the Eastern Conference is set for Wednesday. At TD Garden, the Celtics and Bucks will play a game that tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET.