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Jrue Holiday on Trade to Blazers: Winning is ‘the Reason Why I’m Here’

Jrue Holiday on Trade to Blazers: Winning is ‘the Reason Why I’m Here’


Jrue Holiday, the Portland Trail Blazers’ big trade acquisition of the 2025 NBA offseason, is now on the record about his move to the Pacific Northwest.

Earlier this month, the Trail Blazers kicked off a summer of surprises by acquiring the 35-year-old veteran from the Boston Celtics in a one-for-one swap with Anfernee Simons. On Tuesday morning, the organization hosted an introductory media availability session for Holiday at the team’s practice facility in Tualatin.

With his 4-year-old son Hendrix sitting on his lap, Holiday discussed a number of topics over the 14-minute interview: how he’ll fit into the roster, what kind of mentorship he can provide young guard Scoot Henderson, his relationship with franchise star Damian Lillard, what he wants to achieve in Portland, and more.

Blazer’s Edge will have more in-depth analysis and coverage from the event coming later, but until then, some of Holiday’s key answers are listed below.

Holiday’s thoughts on Portland as a city, the team and what’s ahead for him:

“The city I haven’t spent as much time in, but the team, I know, I’ve actually played a couple of series against them, I know the crowd here is amazing. Obviously, just being here for the little time that I have recently, everybody here seems very, very nice as a city, but the organization has been great. It’s been great to me and my family, and I’m real excited to be here.”

On where he was when the trade happened and his reaction:

“I was at home in California. I ended up getting a call from [Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens]. He ended up telling me a little bit before, but I was excited. I knew that obviously I got traded here before, so it was just kinda full circle talking to [Blazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups] about it, talking to [Blazers General Manager, Joe Cronin] about it, and I really do appreciate what they did for me the first time around. That really does mean a lot for me and my career. I know this time around, they were just kinda like, ‘I got another chance to get you,’ and they thought that I’d be a good piece here, so I’m excited to be here.”

On if he’s thought about where he’ll fit on this team and the role he’ll have:

“Honestly, we’ve talked about offense slightly, obviously, defense I feel like I fit in anywhere. … The type of defense that they had last year, I’m super excited about. But honestly, I’m here to fit in wherever I fit in.”

On what he’s seen from Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe’s careers so far:

“They’re younger guys that you can tell love the game of basketball, they love to hoop. You can tell they give 110% every time they play, so I’m super excited to — if it’s mentor, mentor them, but just kinda play the game, be able to go out here and show the world not just my talent but theirs. Just from playing against them, they have long roads ahead of them. They’re gonna have very long careers.”

On if he values having a mentorship role in a young locker room:

Sure, I think I really just like basketball. It doesn’t really matter the age. I know, when I was younger and first coming in, I had vets, but I tried not to look at them as vets, more just study everything around me. Even though I’m at this age now, I feel like I still try to do the same, even though guys might be younger, and I may not like the same type of music … but I also feel like that’s what makes us a team is finding commonality and being able to mesh over that and translate it to the court.

On his reaction to the Blazers signing Lillard:

“When he got released, I texted him a little emoji, and I don’t know, maybe it was kinda like ‘what’s up.’ Because obviously, Dame loves Portland, and he’s been here for years and I know his family and stuff is here. But to be able to play with him on the same team is something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time and even before I left New Orleans, that was always something that I’ve wanted to do.”

On why he’s wanted to play with Lillard for a long time, even though they’re both guards:

“I think I play every position. I think I’ve proven that and shown that throughout my career. I think for me I’m a complete basketball player, so you can’t just put one position on me. … I feel like I’m a good fit with anyone. And again, Dame’s game is so easy to play with. He opens up the floor because of his scoring ability and his shooting ability, and he gets you open shots because of his driving ability.”

On what goals he wants to accomplish with the Blazers:

“Honestly, it’s to win. I feel like that’s always been the ultimate goal ever since you started playing basketball is to win, and whatever that may look like. Obviously, taking small wins is great, but winning is what we do, is what we play this game for, so if it’s getting to the playoffs, if it’s winning a championship, I feel like winning is the purpose and the reason why I’m here.”

On if it’s difficult to move from a championship contender to a team that’s fighting to make the playoffs:

“We’ll find out. Nah. I feel like no. I think that I’ve been in the game long enough to know that it’s not always gonna be the brightest or the best or the easiest, whatever you want to say, but I think coming to a team and an organization that has the character of this team and organization makes basketball great. That’s why you want to come here and you want to play because you feel like you’re a part of something bigger than yourself. You feel like you’re a part of a bigger team and a bigger purpose.”

On how his skills can help a team improve defensively:

“Hopefully just knowledge. Maybe something that I’ve seen that the young guys haven’t seen yet or just coming in with that same type of energy at the point guard position, guarding the point guard. Sometimes being the head of the snake in that way could lead to a strong defense behind you. So not only that, communication. I know Chauncey has done a great job with them defensively, but honestly, whatever I can bring to the defensive end, I’m excited about.”

On what Billups expects from him:

“To be me. To bring the leadership that I’ve brought to multiple organizations. To be able to come in here and be as adaptable as possible. And again, the most important thing is to win.”

On how he complements Scoot Henderson on the floor:

“Scoot is aggressive and how he gets to the basket is amazing. I think that me being able to space the floor and shoot the 3 is something that would help him out. I know he’s been shooting the ball better and he’s been in the gym and working. But I think for me, just being able to play off him knowing that Scoot is the next one up and to be able to go out here and really just showcase what he can do.”



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