Jrue Holiday has been dealt around the NBA before, but last week’s stunning trade from the Bucks “crushed” his family.
Reflecting on recent events Wednesday, Holiday’s wife, Lauren, expressed mixed emotions after the 33-year-old guard was dealt from Milwaukee to the Portland Trail Blazers for superstar Damian Lillard before landing with the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
Beginning her candid Instagram post with the phrase, “It’s not personal, it’s business,” Lauren, 36, explained while she debated writing anything at all, “Being vulnerable helps me heal.”
“This isn’t new. We’ve been traded before. Each time we’ve felt something different but this time it crushed me,” said the former soccer player, who was once a part of the US Women’s National Team.
“I’m not sharing this for sympathy. I’m not sharing this to bash anyone. I’m sharing this so people can see the humans behind the business transactions. Because contrary to the cliche, it’s personal, meaning there are people’s lives that are affected. It’s never ‘just business.'”
Lauren, who has been married to Holiday since 2013, called Milwaukee “home,” where their children recently started school and where they built a life.
“Our kids go to school with other Bucks children. Their dads walk them in and walk out together. The other women on the Bucks have been my workout partners, my confidants, and my support system,” she shared.
“… All of this is personal to us. It’s our life. There’s no business to any of that.”
Holiday, who landed with the Bucks in November 2020 after spending seven seasons with the Pelicans, learned of his move to Portland after taking a nap, according to Lauren.
“He woke up to the news that he had been moved. No warning, no heads up, not even a conversation that it could be a possibility. Just, it’s done. Now move on because ‘it’s not personal, it’s business,'” she wrote.
Prior to the trade, Holiday expressed his desire to retire as a member of the Bucks, with whom he won the NBA Finals in 2021.
Lauren added Wednesday that she is sharing this perspective to illustrate the heart invested in the community Holiday played for.
“So, yes, this is more than business. Not because we’re offended by it but, because we are people, we’re humans, we have relationships, dreams, and a connection where we play,” she wrote.
“As I write this, we are grieving the loss of that while celebrating the hope and the joy of what’s ahead. The growth is in allowing ourselves to feel this pain now and turn it into power for how we move forward. That’s who we are and that’s who we always will be.”
Lauren went on to thank Milwaukee “for making our lives infinitely better,” before expressing joy about the family’s future in New England.
“Next stop, Boston, can’t wait to see the world we create together.”
Holiday, a three-time NBA All-Star, averaged 19.3 points last season and 7.4 assists.