Former Boston Celtics all-star Isaiah Thomas has made it clear who he’d prefer to play for if given the opportunity. Following the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade for Damian Lillard on September 27, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Thomas pitched himself as one of their backups, as detailed by the X account, “Hoops Central.”
The Bucks will have many roster spots free following the Lillard deal. They have little options this late in the offseason. If they need a backup point guard, Thomas could potentially fill that role if they believe he is the best option.
Thomas hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season, when he was a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Thomas is no longer the MVP prospect he once was with the Celtics, but he has been effective with the Hornets, averaging 8.3 points while shooting 43.3% from the field and 39.7% from three.
The Bucks would most likely consider their other choices first, although Thomas has stated that he would like to play for them if given the opportunity.
Jrue Holiday Wants to Play for the Celtics, According to Evan Turner
Following the announcement of the Lillard deal, former Celtic Evan Turner pleaded with his other former team, the Trail Blazers, to buy out Holiday so that his former Philadelphia 76ers colleague could join the Celtics via his X account.
Turner was a member of Holiday’s team from 2010 to 2013, then the Celtics from 2014 to 2016, and finally the Trail Blazers from 2016 to 2019. Though Turner is most likely kidding, he clearly wants what is best for the Celtics and feels that it is best for Holiday. Holiday’s resume makes him attractive on the trade market, therefore it looks that his requests will not be realised.
That doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Celtics acquiring Holiday through trade, but no player of his calibre would ever receive a buyout.
The Celtics will ‘explore’ the possibility of trading Jrue Holiday.
The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach stated on September 27 that the Celtics were interested in acquiring Holiday.
“Not a big surprise, but I’ve been told the Celtics are expected to explore the possibility of trading for Jrue Holiday,” Himmelsbach said on September 27 through his X account.
To make a deal for Holiday, the Celtics would have to start with Malcolm Brogdon, but it would take more than that, given that Brogdon will get $22.5 million in 2023-24, while Holiday will make $36.8 million. To consummate the trade, the Celtics would almost certainly have to give up one of Al Horford or Robert Williams III, which would be a bit risky.
The Celtics attempted to acquire Holiday during the 2020 NBA offseason, according to Farbod Esnaashari, and this is not the first time they have considered doing so.
“Sources close to the Celtics revealed (Danny) Ainge sought to trade (Kemba) Walker, and Jrue Holiday was the target,” Enaashari stated.
Of course, that was a different era when it might have been a straight-up Walker-for-Holiday transaction, as opposed to now, when it would be more than one player transferred in return for Holiday.
