Just In; Jayson Tatum Bids Farewell to Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis After Celtics’ Roster Shake-Up
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has shared heartfelt messages to teammates Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis following the team’s recent trades with the Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks. The deals, aimed at reducing luxury tax burdens, marked the end of Holiday and Porziņģis’ short but impactful tenures in Boston.
Holiday, a three-time NBA All-Star, played a vital role in the Celtics’ 2023-24 championship run—his first season with the team. Known for his defensive prowess and veteran leadership, Holiday averaged 11.1 points and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. He started all 19 playoff games and served as one of the team’s most dependable on-ball defenders.
Tatum, who is currently sidelined due to Achilles surgery, reflected on his bond with Holiday, which began during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when both players represented Team USA. On Instagram, Tatum posted a photo with Holiday, writing, “Two gold medals and a championship! Forever grateful to have been your teammate. Great player and even better person. My dawg for life.”
Porziņģis, another key contributor to Boston’s success, provided a strong interior presence throughout the season. With his departure, the Celtics are now left with aging veteran Al Horford as their primary rim protector—Horford is also on an expiring contract. Tatum praised Porziņģis in another Instagram story, saying, “Big fella! Never a doubt what you meant to this city and this team! Thankful for you always, champ!”
The loss of both Holiday and Porziņģis marks a significant shift for the Celtics as they prepare for the upcoming season. But the changes may not be over yet. Reports suggest that the Celtics are open to trade discussions involving stars Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. However, any deal for either player would need to involve substantial compensation.
Brown, who signed a five-year, $304 million supermax extension in 2023—the largest in NBA history at the time—was instrumental in Boston’s title win and earned NBA Finals MVP honors. He wrapped up the 2024 season averaging 22.2 points and 4.5 assists per game.
As Boston explores these cost-cutting moves ahead of the NBA Draft, they do so with Tatum expected to miss training camp while recovering from his injury. Despite the roster turnover, the Celtics remain committed to building a competitive team around Tatum while managing the financial constraints of a championship-caliber squad.
The departure of key teammates may mark the end of an era, but Tatum’s messages echo the appreciation and respect he holds for the role both Holiday and Porziņģis played in Boston’s recent success.
