RealGM Radio: Jared Weiss and Jared Dubin On the Atlantic Division (Oct 2023)

The Portland Trail Blazers moved fairly quickly in rerouting Jrue Holiday in a trade to the Boston Celtics after acquiring him last week from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics traded two rotation players in Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams along with two future first round picks to acquire Holiday, which speaks to the type of trade market he had.

The Celtics were joined by the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers as the three teams who reportedly were in on Holiday until the end.

“I’m not sure exactly where are the offers were at the end for the Blazers before they decided on the Celtics’ offer, but based on my conversations, my feel was there was at least three teams who were making significant bids.” said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. “The reason it was three and the teams I really think were there in the end were the Celtics, Heat and the Clippers. The reason I think those three teams were there because I think those were the three teams Jrue Holiday was really focused on at some point being able to sign a longer term contract for. And that message kind of went out in recent days. Other teams made offers but it was sort of a three-team, aggressive race at the end.

“Only the Blazers know exactly what the offers were.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo has traded his three-point attempts for more midrange jumpers this season. Antetokounmpo is averaging less than one three-point attempt per game, which is his lowest output since 14-15. Antetokounmpo has made 102 midrange shots, which is fourth in the NBA.

“I’ve worked on it,” Antetokounmpo told ESPN. “Guys are giving it to me. I got to shoot it because it’s less toll on my body. I got to shoot it, man.”

Antetokounmpo worked on his jumper with skills coach Drew Hanlen this past offseason to give himself another offensive weapon and avoid excess contact on his body.

“I’m in my thirties, obviously, [and] I believe that I have four [to] six years, still, of good basketball to give, but I got to be smarter,” Antetokounmpo said. “I got to be smarter in the way I play.”

Antetokounmpo is averaging more than 30 points while attempting less than one three-pointer per game, which hasn’t been done since Karl Malone in 89-90.

“Me shooting a bunch of 3s — which I would love; trust me, I love shooting the ball — but right now, that’s not what my team needs from me,” Antetokounmpo said. “I know I’m going to make big 3s, big shots. But that’s not my main focus. My main focus is to attack, facilitate, get the 15-footers all day long. If I have 20 of them, I’m going to take all 20 of them.”