“Analyzing the Celtics Roster: Impact of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday Trades”

The Boston Celtics made some significant moves this offseason. They traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal. This was a smart move to manage their salary cap, especially with an eye on the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Celtics are now $4 million under the second apron of the salary cap but still $16 million over the luxury tax threshold. This means more trades could be on the horizon. The team has successfully cut costs while also refreshing their roster.

In these trades, the Celtics gained Anfernee Simons, a young and talented guard, from the Blazers. They also added veteran forward Georges Niang from the Hawks, both offering intriguing skill sets.

Here’s a snapshot of the Celtics’ current roster:

• Guards: Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Payton Pritchard, JD Davison (team option)
• Wings: Jayson Tatum (injured, Achilles), Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Georges Niang, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh (non-guaranteed)
• Bigs: Xavier Tillman, Neemias Queta

The team’s frontcourt is a concern right now. Luke Kornet and Al Horford are both free agents, which leaves the center position looking a bit thin.

The fit among the guards is also a point of interest. While Holiday was versatile on defense, he struggled offensively last season. Simons, on the other hand, isn’t known for his defense and stands at just 6-foot-3. The Celtics already have Payton Pritchard, another shorter guard with a focus on offense. They need to figure out how to balance these players effectively.

Jayson Tatum will miss the upcoming season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, making it Jaylen Brown’s team as they look to move forward. Rookie players like Scheierman and Walsh might play more minutes as they adjust.

A bright spot with the new players is their shooting ability. Simons boasts a career 3-point shooting percentage of 38.1%, while Niang is even better at 39.9%. This shooting strength is crucial for the Celtics’ style of play.

Both Simons and Niang are on expiring contracts, giving the Celtics flexibility for the future. Holiday had a hefty contract remaining, and Porzingis was also on an expiring deal worth $30.7 million.

Looking ahead, the Celtics hold the No. 28 and No. 32 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. There’s speculation they might trade up for a higher draft pick. So, while they’ve cut costs, it’s clear their roster changes are just getting started.

In summary, this offseason has set the stage for an interesting next chapter for the Celtics. The team is in a transition phase, balancing financial health with the need for competitive talent. Fans will be watching closely to see how this unfolds, especially as the draft approaches.

For more insights on the Celtics’ cap situation and potential moves, you can visit ESPN’s NBA section.

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