Celtics Trade Jrue Holiday to Trail Blazers: What Anfernee Simons and Future Picks Mean for Boston

Brad Stevens is making moves, and the Boston Celtics are starting their offseason with a trade. They’ve sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. This trade saves the Celtics around $4.7 million in salary for next year and helps clear future costs.

Holiday, who is 35, has a hefty contract with three years left totaling $104.4 million, including a player option for the 2027-28 season. Simons is on a $27.7 million expiring deal. Even after this trade, the Celtics need to cut almost $40 million total to navigate the luxury tax situation. This suggests there might be more trades coming.

Holiday was a key player in delivering a championship during his first year with Boston, but last season, his performance waned. His points and assists fell, and he struggled in the playoffs. A hamstring injury also affected his game during critical moments.

In contrast, Simons brings a different energy. At just 26, he averages 19.3 points and 4.8 assists per game, with a solid 3-point shooting rate of 38.1%. However, he hasn’t excelled defensively, which might explain why the Blazers decided to let him go. Portland is looking to support young star Scoot Henderson with Holiday’s experience.

What’s Next for Holiday and the Blazers?

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Holiday has been linked to Portland. After the Dame Lillard trade, he briefly joined the Blazers before moving to Boston. During that brief moment, he and head coach Chauncey Billups connected well. Billups, who knows the pressures of being traded, aimed to guide Holiday through that transition.

Now, Portland’s plan seems to involve keeping Holiday. His leadership and defensive skills could be crucial for the Blazers, especially since they’re still developing their identity. They’ve struggled with impactful leadership, and adding a seasoned player like Holiday might change that.

However, there’s a concern about the decision to invest so heavily in Holiday when they have a budding star in Henderson waiting for a larger role. This trade raises questions: Are the Blazers ready to make a playoff push, or have they just committed finances to an aging player?

In the sports world, teams often trade for immediate impact while also considering the future. With this deal, the Celtics look to adjust quickly, while the Blazers appear to be torn between building for today and tomorrow.

As fans, we’ll be watching closely to see how this plays out—whether it leads to playoff success or adjustments in strategy down the line.

For further details, you can check The Athletic.

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Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA