Shams: Celtics Trade Jrue Holiday to Portland for Anfernee Simons, Two Second-Round Picks

[robbie84]

The Celtics will continue to try and find gems like Derrick White and Porzingis.
Guys who were good but not great on other teams.
Simons is one of those punts. Also helps w scoring while Tatum is out for the season.
They've already won by shedding Jrue's salary. Anything positive with Simons is a bonus.

[knicksfan974]

Boston did great here, turning a 35yo Holiday into a 26yo fringe all-star in Simons who put up 19/5 last year. Just don't see the angle here for Portland, why would you do this trade? I'd rather just traded him for picks, would have been more beneficial for the Blazers.

[LuckyGreen7]

I hope Boston extends Anfernee Simons. I don't expect it to happen right now but he has one year left at $27.6 million.

Boston cleared money off their payroll, but otherwise, the return is not that great.

You're nuts. Given Jrue's age and contract, plus the team's scoring needs with Tatum out; this is a fantastic return and a very well thought out trade.

The Celtics have set themselves up for two scenarios depending on what they do with KP and whether Al and / or Luke comeback.

1. See if this roster still contends in the East and Tatum recovers fast enough by the playoffs to be effective for another run with Simmons offering great scoring punch off the bench in that scenario.

2. If it doesn't look like Tatum is on track for a strong spring 2026 return and they also lack the bigs due to whatever happens with KP/AL/Luke, Simmons is the perfect trade deadline asset to have. Most contenders will overpay for an expiring contract on a good scorer at the deadline. So you trade Simmons for pieces that help retool for 26-27 and beyond.

Doubtful Brad could have gotten a much better deal for Jrue at this stage of his career than this.

[mg]

Agreed with the last few posters that this is mainly Boston moving Jrue for an expiring (plus SRPs in the process). Simons can also fill some of the scoring load while Tatum is on the mend.

This trade also allows Portand to save face by getting something back for Simons who needed to be gone so the Scoot era can officially begin. No team is winning big by having Simons and his total lack of defense getting starting minutes in their backcourt. Taking on the Jrue contract can certainly be questioned but my guess is Portland could be moving the Ayton/Grant contracts this offseason. Ayton will be expiring regardless what they do with him.

[AussieCeltic]

Brad Stevens is a basketball mastermind

As in a hypnotist to lure GMs into idiotic deals?

That but also a top 3 coach in this league.

Pretty crazy to be one of the best coaches AND GM’s.

[Ben-N1ce]

Jrue was only 35 and due 100 million. What were the Celtics thinking.

[Drakeem]

My god though do I really hate this CBA. Granted, Tatum is injured but this deal probably happens anyway due to the 2nd apron. A top 5ish player in the game having his team move such an awesome championship level supporting piece for an empty stats player like this because of money is not good for the game. I understand that people wanted to break up some of the super teams but THIS does not make for a more compelling league. This is watered down competition. Yuck.

Teams can also stop overpaying then and collectively work under the second apron. It punishes over pumped contracts and people trying to stack the deck.

[Johnny Tomala]

WTF is Portland doing? Horrible trade for them.

[magee]

For the contract, it's rough for Portland. For a tutor who can teach Scott Henderson how to play defense, it's a God-send for Portland. They're making the playoffs next season.

[Coach Carter]

The NBA is just another puppeteered league. The likes of Portland only exist to make up the numbers.

[itrsteve]

The NBA is just another puppeteered league. The likes of Portland only exist to make up the numbers.

All things considered, it's not a bad gig to be a tax recipient team. Not as if you can get relegated to the g-leauge (which would make things interesting)

[Wingy]

Remember when everyone was telling Celtics fans we’d have to pay up to get out of the Holiday deal?

LOL.

Don’t doubt Brad’s ability to make things happen.

Don’t even like Simons that much but he’s an expiring deal we can gamble on while Tatum recovers.

I thought they’d have to attach something (and Jrue’s one of my favorite players).

Learned the lesson (again, and again…hmm, maybe I’m not actually learning):
Never underestimate stupid in the NBA.

One I’ll say is that Jrue’s contract won’t optically appear as large given ballooning salaries, but despite intangibles he’s on the decline and not an efficient use of the space.

[Viper1500]

Terrible for Portland. How Portland isn’t receiving a first round pick back in this deal is beyond me

[CubColtPacer]

Celtics get a cheaper deal that is expiring.

Probably still need to move Hauser or KP to have enough room under the 2nd apron to fill out the roster.

Hauser by himself still wouldn't be enough. Even if they traded him into somebody's cap space/exception, they would still be over the second apron with roster spots to fill. KP will likely have to happen and will need to involve a team with cap space in some way to be able to save enough money on the deal. Being able to successfully dump Hauser in addition to that though would certainly help the process.

[Chokic]

How does Boston keep getting away with this?

[Coach Carter]

I guess we just need to accept that those teams that contribute the most money from time to time will **** up or be in a jam and the league has to bail them out.

[Froob]

seems like a steal

[itrsteve]

I guess we just need to accept that those teams that contribute the most money from time to time will **** up or be in a jam and the league has to bail them out.

This is clearly a conspiracy cooked up by the mad man Adam Silver to take these two massive marquee players and have them switch teams.

[Airmiess]

What is the benefit for Portland ? are they trying to get the 9th seed..

[ITYSL]

Really sad that Jrue is gone but it had to happen. Great return for the Celtics considering their tax apron situation.

Jrue in the championship run: 13/6/4 on 62% TS, along with some kickass defense.

KP up next.