The Boston Celtics came that close to acquiring Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Holiday is headed to the Bucks after Milwaukee agreed to send Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and five draft picks to the Pelicans. It was a massive deal in terms of draft capital, especially because the picks include swaps that favor the Pels.
But Boston's offer was every bit the blockbuster New Orleans eventually struck with the Bucks.
Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported the Celtics offered the Pelicans swingman Gordon Hayward plus all of their first-round picks in Wednesday's NBA draft.
The Boston Celtics reportedly offered Gordon Hayward, and their three 1st-Round Draft picks in this years NBA Draft for Jrue Holiday, via @KevinOConnorNBA
(via “The Ringer NBA Show”) pic.twitter.com/zQejkWHUXx
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 17, 2020
Perhaps this explains why the Celtics are attempting to extend the deadline for Hayward's impending player option. New Orleans would have needed assurances Hayward was not opting out, prompting some kind of sign-and-trade.
Hayward would have been an intriguing fit for the Pelicans. He can act as a secondary ball-handler, provide positional versatility and shoot the ball from the perimeter. In fact, he is almost like a version of Holiday from the forward position.
However, New Orleans president of basketball operations David Griffin ultimately decided he would rather have the future draft considerations over Hayward and three first-rounders in 2020. It makes sense, considering this is widely regarded as a rather weak draft class.
Celtics fans might wonder what could have been. Acquiring Holiday would have made for some interesting rotations, and head coach Brad Stevens would often have to go small. But Holiday's defensive acumen and overall playmaking ability probably would have made him a seamless fit in Beantown.
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