The Boston Celtics have made a significant roster change by sending Jrue Holiday back to the Portland Trail Blazers. This strategic move comes after Holiday played a pivotal role in leading the Celtics to their record-setting 18th NBA championship last season. According to a source familiar with the situation, although the trade is not officially confirmed yet, ESPN reported that Boston is set to receive Anfernee Simons along with two second-round draft picks in return.
Holiday’s trade journey began when he was acquired by Portland from the Milwaukee Bucks last September. Shortly after, he was traded to the Celtics where he quickly became a crucial part of their starting lineup, ultimately helping them to victory in the championship. However, the Celtics might now be entering a transitional phase, as they are also dealing with the absence of Jayson Tatum. Tatum, an All-NBA forward, is recovering from surgery following an Achilles tendon injury sustained during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks.
The addition of Simons could partially mitigate the Celtics’ scoring deficit, given his impressive performance of averaging 19.3 points last season and achieving a career-high of 22.6 points in 2023-24. Nonetheless, the departure of Holiday means a loss of strong defensive skills and leadership. Despite seeing a dip in his scoring average to 11.1 points last season, his experience and past performances, such as the 19.3 points during his 2022-23 All-Star season with the Bucks, have been invaluable.
Financial motivations might have played a significant role in the decision to trade Holiday. The Celtics needed to manage their salary commitments, which included a hefty $104.4 million remaining on Holiday’s contract over three years. This came in addition to expensive contracts for key players like Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The team’s projected payroll of $225 million next season could potentially result in a tax bill nearing $280 million, an impeccable expense.
Surpassing fiscal thresholds, including the luxury tax and penalty aprons, posed further challenges. These financial constraints coincide with new ownership impending acquisition, projected to be at least $6.1 billion, likely prompting an assessment of ongoing team expenditures. With Boston’s key players, like Tatum scheduled to earn $54 million and Brown $53 million due to new contracts, along with other high-paid team members, a reevaluation of the roster is likely unavoidable.
There is speculation that Kristaps Porzingis might also be considered for future trades given his remaining $60 million contract prior to free agency eligibility in 2026, combined with concerns over his recent health and limited playoff presence due to illness. Regardless of the direction, Boston’s basketball operations president Brad Stevens recognized the challenges present with financial constraints and the shrinking windows for championship success, illustrating the evolving landscape of the NBA.