Shams Charania has once again broken a trade in the NBA! The Boston Celtics have traded their veteran point guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for a young guard. Let’s talk hoops!
Check out BetOnline for how this changes next year’s champion and playoff team odds!
The Celtics are moving on from a player that was once considered their final piece. Life moves fast.
Jrue Holiday traded for Anfernee Simons
The Boston Celtics have traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. This is a great trade for both franchises as Jrue Holiday brings a veteran presence to an already pesky Portland team that almost slipped into the Play-In Tournament this year.
Holiday was drafted No. 17 overall in 2009 to Philadelphia. The 35-year-old has career averages of 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He is a two-time champion with the Milwaukee Bucks and last year’s Celtics. He’s coming off a year where he played 62 games, but averaged his lowest scoring total since his rookie campaign. The Celtics face next season without superstar Jayson Tatum. This is a welcome trade that lets fans know front office and ownership still thinks they can compete next season.
Boston’s Money Troubles
Furthermore, Simons is young so he can fit into their long-term plans or be a one-year rental. This is a good trade. The move also saves the Celtics a projected $40 million in tax savings for 2025-2026. Massive savings. The cherry on top? Simons is extension eligible already. Unfortunately, Boston will still be $18 million over the dreaded second apron. They do not have a lot of maneuverability because of that so having the flexibility of Simons deal is very welcome.
Simons was the No. 24 overall pick out of IMG Academy in 2018. He learned under Damian Lillard and is a excellent shooter. Anfernee holds a career average of 38.1% on serious volume especially the last three years. He is the kind of player that will fit right in Mazzulla’s offense. Jrue Holiday was starting to show his age, but now he can enter into a new role with Portland.
Additionally, surrendering just two second-round picks is great. Portland gets their veteran. Jrue Holiday can teach Scoot Henderson a lot about being a long-term pro and defensive skills. Boston stays in contention by adding a 20-point scorer. A rare but conclusive win-win here.
Shoutout Brad Stevens!
Here is a quick oversimplification of some of the moves last year’s Executive of the Year for the Celtics made:
- Moved Kemba Walker for Al Horford
- Traded a pair of players and a first-round pick for Derrick White
- Swapped Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis
- Acquired Jrue Holiday and won the championship
- Acquired Anfernee Simons for an aging veteran
- Extended all his core pieces
This story will be updated as additional information is made available.
Join BetOnline to get 50% Welcome Bonus + 100 FREE SPINS!
Like the Analysis? Check out our Outlier.Bet review!
Thanks for Reading!
Also, get the best odds & all the up to date lines right here at Betting News!
Follow us at Betting News for all of our sports betting content & streams on Twitch every day as well!
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Additionally, looking for a great promo for a new sportsbook? Check out all the various sign-up bonuses & reviews we have for numerous sportsbooks, available everywhere!