by Owen Ayite-Atayi, age 16
Although the Milwaukee Bucks won the 2021 NBA finals, the organization has faced loads of criticism, backlash, and mixed emotions on the trading of Jrue Holiday, who will now play for the Boston Celtics.
The starting roster during the 2020-22 seasons consisted of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez. The roster was solid for the Bucks after they acquired Holiday in the 2020-21 season. Holiday is a point guard who controls the game with an amazing and efficient pace. He averaged 16.4 points per game, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in his time with the Bucks. Although Holiday is an explosive player on offense, he is also a great and proactive player on defense.
The organization is facing mixed emotions from fans on Jrue Holiday being traded for Damian Lillard, who is also a point guard who can shoot efficiently and facilitate on offense. Throughout his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard averaged 25.2 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. Although Lillard is an offensive weapon, he struggles on the defensive side, unlike Holiday. The trade was a three-way blockbuster deal with the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks also sent Grayson Allen to the Phoenix Suns, while the Trail Blazers picked up Deandre Ayton. “Before I even won here I thought I said I'm a Buck for life and I mean that like deep in my heart, I don't want to play for any other team,” Holiday said. The day after he said that the Bucks traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers, who then traded him to the Boston Celtics for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, the 2024 1st-round draft pick, and the 2029 unprotected 1st-round draft pick. [Read More]