Jrue Holiday has played a big role on the Milwaukee Bucks alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo over the last three seasons. They won an NBA Championship together in 2020-2021 when they defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games. Holiday was with the New Orleans Pelicans in the prior season to the championship run.
The Bucks are facing a crucial 2023-2024 season. Another thing that will be crucial for this franchise is after this season with Jrue Holiday’s contract. He is currently in the middle of a four-year deal worth $134 million signed in 2021. However, after this season, Holiday has a player option, and we will see if he decides to opt in for the 2024-2025 season with the Milwaukee Bucks.
He is 33 years old currently and won’t be 34 years old until after the season ends. If Holiday opts out of this deal after next season. then Antetokounmpo may not be happy after all. Holiday should be a key priority for this front office if the Milwaukee Bucks are serious about keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo happy and are also serious about winning.
That could be the number one domino if Holiday decided to opt out rather than opt in. If it’s an opt-out, Antetokounmpo will not be thrilled. Before the 2020-2021 season, Jrue Holiday was acquired in a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, and it was one of the best trades they have made in franchise history to satisfy Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks will need to do the same here with getting Jrue Holiday signed long-term eventually.
Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo are Great Together
The core of this basketball team has not been the problem over the past two seasons. It has been because of unlucky injuries to Khris Middleton and Antetokounmpo in the postseason. Holiday played in 67 games a season ago for the Bucks. He averaged 19.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 7.4 APG, 0.4 BPG, and 1.2 SPG. Holiday also shot 47.9% from the field.
Jrue Holiday is one of the better defenders in the NBA. Also, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report wrote:
“The Milwaukee Bucks reinvested in Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez after firing Mike Buzdenholzer as head coach (hiring Adrian Griffin in his stead). The team has backslid in the postseason since its 2021 title. The bigger picture goal is to ensure Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to stay beyond his current contract (player option after the 2024-2025 season). Before then, point guard Jrue Holiday, 33, can opt out of his $39.4 million after the 2023-2024 campaign. Keeping Holiday could be the key to Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee.”
Holiday needs a new contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. If it doesn’t happen at all, then Antetokounmpo might bolt or stay and voice his displeasure.