HUGE PROBLEM: NBA insider believes Boston Celtics created 1 potentially fatal problem with Jrue Holiday trade

While many believe the Boston Celtics will be a strong force again this season after adding Jrue Holiday over the weekend, one NBA insider believes the team has created a new and severe issue that they will have to deal with as a result of the blockbuster transaction.

Last week was a wild one in the NBA trade market. The Portland Trail Blazers finally pulled the trigger on team legend Damian Lillard after months of rumors and conjecture. The Trail Blazers secured double-double machine Deandre Ayton and two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday in the enormous three-team mega deal.

However, it was quickly discovered that Holiday was not in their plans for the upcoming season, and he was now the hottest commodity on the trade market only days before training camp began. While the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers were said to be interested in the skilled guard, it was the Boston Celtics who grabbed him.

The Cs now have a starting five of Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford entering into the 2023-2024 NBA season. On paper, it appears to be a dangerous quintet; but, The Athletic’s NBA insider Zach Harper believes that by bolstering their starting five, Boston has created new concerns.

Following two big summer deals, the Boston Celtics have severe depth issues.

The Celtics gave up two first-round selections, defensive ace Robert Williams, and sixth-man award winner Malcolm Brogdon in the deal. By trading those two experienced veterans, Boston may have exposed some severe depth vulnerabilities that will be revealed as the season progresses.

“The Celtics weren’t exactly short on depth before, but they weren’t running 12 deep.” Unless they can swiftly develop some players who can make the rotation by January, the Celtics have become much thinner, with few options available to them. Without Robert Williams, Porziis puts pressure on the Latvian big man and Al Horford to be available and healthy for long portions of the season. Unless the Celtics believe they can play small with Oshae Brissett as a very small-ball big, that’s a lot more Luke Kornet sopping up minutes.

“Holiday is better than Smart [in the Porzingis trade], but you’ve gone from a three-guard rotation of Smart, Brogdon, and Derrick White to a pairing of Holiday and White with maybe one other player.”

Payton Pritchard was sprinkled on top. That’s not nearly as motivating for Tatum and Brown’s supporting cast.”

During their championship run last season, the Denver Nuggets demonstrated the importance of having great depth around a couple of outstanding players. While the Boston Celtics’ starting five is very good and appears to be a solid combination, there are reasons to be concerned about the frontcourt’s health due to injury history or age.

Because there isn’t much else on the roster after those two, which might be a major concern for the squad if they have availability issues this season.