- Bucks guard
Jrue Holiday had a $306,000 bonus at stake if he played 67 games this season. - Holiday suited up for the final game of the season, his 67th, played 8 seconds, then fouled so he could sub out.
Jrue Holiday knew exactly how much he had at stake in the final game of the season.
On Sunday, ESPN's Bobby Marks reported that Holiday could earn a $306,000 bonus by playing in his 67th game of the season and maintaining a rebounding average greater than 3.15 per game.
Entering Sunday, the final game of the season, Holiday had played 66 games and averaged 4.5 rebounds per game.
So the 31-year-old point guard took the floor for the opening tip against the Cleveland Cavaliers. When the Cavs won the tip, Holiday ran over and fouled Cavs guard Darius Garland, stopping the game to exit. Bonus secured.
—Blue Wire (@bluewirepods) April 10, 2022
Holiday had a base salary of $30.3 million this year and $6 million in incentives. He could earn more this season if he is named to an All-Defensive Team.
Holiday's eight seconds of playing time came as the Bucks rested nearly all of their starters and rotation players, hoping to avoid injury on the final day of the season.
By losing 133-115 to Cleveland, the Bucks also fell to third place in the East and will play the Chicago Bulls in the first round. That's a fortuitous fall for the Bucks (one they were likely aware of) as they'll avoid the possibility of facing the Brooklyn Nets in the first round.
That, too, could help Holiday: According to Spotrac, he has a $259,200 bonus for making the Finals and a $1,101,600 bonus if the Bucks win the championship. By falling to third place, they'll have an easier path going forward.