Patrick McDermott/Getty ImagesThe race for Jrue Holiday appears to be heating up.
The Boston Celtics' pursuit of the former Milwaukee Bucks veteran "remains alive," according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, but there is a "significant gap" in negotiations with the Portland Trail Blazers for his services.
Portland acquired Holiday from the Bucks earlier this week in the deal that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time that the Trail Blazers "are expected to immediately engage contending teams on trade talks to move on Jrue Holiday" as the franchise is "committed to its young group of talented guards."
The Celtics are one of many teams to have reportedly expressed interest in Holiday since his move to Portland. The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls have also been linked to the veteran.
ESPN's Zach Lowe also reported that the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are considered "two under-the-radar teams" that are "expected to have at least some level of interest" in Holiday.
While more than a handful of teams are interested in Holiday's services, SNY's Ian Begley reported that the 33-year-old is believed to prefer playing for a team "where he can win and potentially sign an extension."
That should make the Celtics among the top candidates for his services as Boston is expected to be the top challenger to the new-look Bucks in the Eastern Conference thanks to the addition of Kristaps Porziņģis to go alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
After trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in the three-team deal that landed them Porziņģis, the Celtics also have an opening at point guard entering the 2023-24 season.
Boston is currently expected to start Derrick White at the position and use Malcolm Brogdon as the backup, provided the Celtics don't trade him.
Brogdon has continued to draw trade interest from the Clippers, which "have continued to engage" Boston in negotiations for the veteran, according to The Athletic's Jared Weiss. Over the summer, L.A. nearly acquired Brogdon in a three-team deal that also included Porziņģis and the Washington Wizards, but the deal fell through due to health concerns.
Portland's asking price for Holiday is believed to be "steep," Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reported Wednesday on NBC Sports Boston's Boston Sports Tonight.
"My early read of the landscape is that it's probably going to cost two first-round picks to get Jrue Holiday. It's going to at least cost one first-rounder and potentially a blue-chip type prospect that fits into the rebuild in Portland," Mannix said.
It's unclear which assets beyond draft picks Portland may be looking to acquire from Boston.
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