After speculation that the Boston Celtics could move on from veteran guard Jrue Holiday, it’s officially happened.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Celtics have moved Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.
“BREAKING: The Boston Celtics have traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote.
Holiday, who helped the Celtics win a championship a year ago, is one of the better guard defenders in the NBA. It remains uncertain if the Trail Blazers plan to keep him around, but this is a good deal from the Celtics’ perspective.
Holiday, who proved during his time with the Milwaukee Bucks and other stops that he can be an All-Star, didn’t exactly get that chance in Boston.
For the Celtics, he was a fourth or fifth option, and his numbers reflected that. He’s coming off a season where he averaged 11.1 points per game and shot 44.3% from the field, including 35.3% from three-point range, which was the worst he’s shot since 2019-2020.
The Trail Blazers, one of the worst teams in the Western Conference a year ago, have some young talent. Moving on from Simons is a bit interesting, but this is a great deal for Boston.
Simons is coming off a season where he averaged 19.3 points and shot 36.3% from 3-point range.
With Jayson Tatum expected to be out for much of next season, it remains uncertain what the Celtics plan to do. However, making a deal like this helps them in the immediate term and the future.
