Unloading Jrue Holiday: BOS/WAS/CHA/ORL

[nate33]

Boston trades: Jrue Holiday + 2030 FRP (lotto prot.)
Boston receives: Marcus Smart (21.6)

Washington trades: Marcus Smart + Corey Kispert
Washington receives: Grant Williams (13.6/14.3) + Josh Green (13.7/14.7) + BOS 2030 FRP (lotto prot.)

Charlotte trades: Grant Williams + Josh Smith
Charlotte receives: Jrue Holiday (32.4/34.8/37.2)

Orlando trades: MLE
Orlando receives: Kispert (13.9/13.9/13.0)

I'm open to suggestions to tweak it. The Wizards would take the 2026 FRP from Boston instead of 2030 if they would prefer, but the Wizards don't need any more draft picks in 2025. The Wizards could send out a cheaper Saddiq Bey (6.1/6.4) instead of Kispert if Orlando prefers. In fact, Orlando doesn't need to be the 4th team. Any team who wants a rotation shooter like Kispert (or Bey) can replace Orlando as long as they have the MLE or a TPE big enough to absorb him. Also, Charlotte doesn't have to be the 3rd team. Any team willing to trade shorter contracts for Jrue, or less salary savings couple with some pick capital, could be inserted here.

[Celts17Pride]

Don't see the Celtics giving up a 1st round pick to move Holiday. There is already rumored interest in Jrue Holiday from the Mavs, Kings, Clippers and every day that list seems to grow. Celtics have already been there with Marcus Smart and it didn't work. I don't see the Celtics going back in that direction.

[nate33]

Don't see the Celtics giving up a 1st round pick to move Holiday. There is already rumored interest in Jrue Holiday from the Mavs, Kings, Clippers and every day that list seems to grow. Celtics have already been there with Marcus Smart and it didn't work. I don't see the Celtics going back in that direction.

Understood. If you can unload Jrue and save $10+M instantly without giving up a pick to do it, more power to you. I just don't think that's very likely. I don't think anyone thinks Jrue is a neutral or positive asset at his contract. Also, it's real hard to make deals that save money instantly.

Regarding the Marcus Smart didn't work part. Well, yes, Marcus Smart isn't as good as Jrue. But the Celtics can't afford Jrue so they're going to have to go with someone who is cheaper but not as good. It's not like there's an option on the table where you get someone better than Jrue who is also cheaper.

[Mavrelous]

If CHO does this deal, Celtics deal with them directly and dump Grant Williams on DET who need a backup PF who can shoot with their #28, even Josh Green has taker for #32.

[Skybox]

No thanks for ORL...they overpaid a one-tool guy. Be happy to have him but A) ORL doesn't have an MLE currently. B) we have more pressing needs if we did and C) ORL is facing a serious financial crunch with rookie extensions hitting, so this is a summer for a big swing and no new money without serious impact...much rather trade for Kispert than create an MLE for him.

[Texas Chuck]

Boston is never giving up an unprotected pick that far out, which its like the OP realized midway because no team gets it. Though I assume Washington is the team ending up with it.

[nate33]

Boston is never giving up an unprotected pick that far out, which its like the OP realized midway because no team gets it. Though I assume Washington is the team ending up with it.

Yes. Washington gets it. I'll edit the OP. Fair point that the pick should have substantial protection. I'm not trying to fleece Boston. But I do think that absorbing this much salary is worth a pick in the second half of the first round.

[hugepatsfan]

First and foremost this is illegal because BOS owes their '29 pick so can't trade '30. Would have to be '31 1st.

That being said, BOS cuts WAS (and therefore ORL) out of this rather easily. Green/Williams combine to make $25.7M next year. Smart makes $21.6M, but since it's one less player you have to add in $2.2M for a vet min player and that makes it $23.8M. So WAS is only saving BOS under $2M for 25-26, which they can make up in other ways.

If BOS replaces Jrue's salary in 26-27 with Green/Williams, then they're still below the luxury tax altogether (not just apron, the tax) or at least in easy position to get under (haven't crunched final math yet), so there's no need to pay the cost now to move off of those future years now since they aren't hurting their cap sheet.

[nate33]

First and foremost this is illegal because BOS owes their '29 pick so can't trade '30. Would have to be '31 1st.

That being said, BOS cuts WAS (and therefore ORL) out of this rather easily. Green/Williams combine to make $25.7M next year. Smart makes $21.6M, but since it's one less player you have to add in $2.2M for a vet min player and that makes it $23.8M. So WAS is only saving BOS under $2M for 25-26, which they can make up in other ways.

If BOS replaces Jrue's salary in 26-27 with Green/Williams, then they're still below the luxury tax altogether (not just apron, the tax) or at least in easy position to get under (haven't crunched final math yet), so there's no need to pay the cost now to move off of those future years now since they aren't hurting their cap sheet.

Makes sense.

It's too bad one of Green/Williams doesn't make less than the MLE. It would be a lot easier to unload them completely.

[hugepatsfan]

First and foremost this is illegal because BOS owes their '29 pick so can't trade '30. Would have to be '31 1st.

That being said, BOS cuts WAS (and therefore ORL) out of this rather easily. Green/Williams combine to make $25.7M next year. Smart makes $21.6M, but since it's one less player you have to add in $2.2M for a vet min player and that makes it $23.8M. So WAS is only saving BOS under $2M for 25-26, which they can make up in other ways.

If BOS replaces Jrue's salary in 26-27 with Green/Williams, then they're still below the luxury tax altogether (not just apron, the tax) or at least in easy position to get under (haven't crunched final math yet), so there's no need to pay the cost now to move off of those future years now since they aren't hurting their cap sheet.

Makes sense.

It's too bad one of Green/Williams doesn't make less than the MLE. It would be a lot easier to unload them completely.

Both of them do in both years though... MLE this year is $14.1M and Grant makes $13.6M, Green makes $13.7M. MLE for next year (26-27) is projected at $15.5M and Grant makes $14.3M, Green makes $14.7M.

[ReggiesKnicks]

First and foremost this is illegal because BOS owes their '29 pick so can't trade '30. Would have to be '31 1st.

That being said, BOS cuts WAS (and therefore ORL) out of this rather easily. Green/Williams combine to make $25.7M next year. Smart makes $21.6M, but since it's one less player you have to add in $2.2M for a vet min player and that makes it $23.8M. So WAS is only saving BOS under $2M for 25-26, which they can make up in other ways.

If BOS replaces Jrue's salary in 26-27 with Green/Williams, then they're still below the luxury tax altogether (not just apron, the tax) or at least in easy position to get under (haven't crunched final math yet), so there's no need to pay the cost now to move off of those future years now since they aren't hurting their cap sheet.

Makes sense.

It's too bad one of Green/Williams doesn't make less than the MLE. It would be a lot easier to unload them completely.

Both Green and Williams make less than the MLE for the 2025/2026 season.

[nate33]

First and foremost this is illegal because BOS owes their '29 pick so can't trade '30. Would have to be '31 1st.

That being said, BOS cuts WAS (and therefore ORL) out of this rather easily. Green/Williams combine to make $25.7M next year. Smart makes $21.6M, but since it's one less player you have to add in $2.2M for a vet min player and that makes it $23.8M. So WAS is only saving BOS under $2M for 25-26, which they can make up in other ways.

If BOS replaces Jrue's salary in 26-27 with Green/Williams, then they're still below the luxury tax altogether (not just apron, the tax) or at least in easy position to get under (haven't crunched final math yet), so there's no need to pay the cost now to move off of those future years now since they aren't hurting their cap sheet.

Makes sense.

It's too bad one of Green/Williams doesn't make less than the MLE. It would be a lot easier to unload them completely.

Both of them do in both years though... MLE this year is $14.1M and Grant makes $13.6M, Green makes $13.7M. MLE for next year (26-27) is projected at $15.5M and Grant makes $14.3M, Green makes $14.7M.

Oops. You are right. I was looking at the wrong year.

[nate33]

Yup. Forget this proposal. Boston would just make that deal directly with Charlotte and then try and unload one of Green/Williams. That should be doable since they cost less than the MLE. 10 or so teams would have the capability of absorbing one of those contracts. If necessary, they might need to include a SRP, but they wouldn't need a FRP.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Yup. Forget this proposal. Boston would just make that deal directly with Charlotte and then try and unload one of Green/Williams. If necessary, they might need to include a SRP, but they wouldn't need a FRP.

We saw it through to the end.

I, too, am curious what Washington does. Smart for 2-year deals plus minor assets makes a lot of sense. Middleton resigned to a smaller multi-year deal makes a lot of sense.

[nate33]

Yup. Forget this proposal. Boston would just make that deal directly with Charlotte and then try and unload one of Green/Williams. If necessary, they might need to include a SRP, but they wouldn't need a FRP.

We saw it through to the end.

I, too, am curious what Washington does. Smart for 2-year deals plus minor assets makes a lot of sense. Middleton resigned to a smaller multi-year deal makes a lot of sense.

Yeah, I think they will be shopping Smart, but a deal doesn't necessarily have to happen this summer. It could be a trade deadline deal.

I don't expect them to try and resign Middleton. They will shop him too. If he happens to be healthy at the Trade Deadline (a big if), then he will probably have real value to a contending team with a bad contract to move.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Yup. Forget this proposal. Boston would just make that deal directly with Charlotte and then try and unload one of Green/Williams. If necessary, they might need to include a SRP, but they wouldn't need a FRP.

We saw it through to the end.

I, too, am curious what Washington does. Smart for 2-year deals plus minor assets makes a lot of sense. Middleton resigned to a smaller multi-year deal makes a lot of sense.

Yeah, I think they will be shopping Smart, but a deal doesn't necessarily have to happen this summer. It could be a trade deadline deal.

I don't expect them to try and resign Middleton. They will shop him too. If he happens to be healthy at the Trade Deadline (a big if), then he will probably have real value to a contending team with a bad contract to move.

The point of resigning Middleton is that it is much easier to trade him. Teams can't match his 30+ million salary. They can easily match a 20 million salary.

[nate33]

We saw it through to the end.

I, too, am curious what Washington does. Smart for 2-year deals plus minor assets makes a lot of sense. Middleton resigned to a smaller multi-year deal makes a lot of sense.

Yeah, I think they will be shopping Smart, but a deal doesn't necessarily have to happen this summer. It could be a trade deadline deal.

I don't expect them to try and resign Middleton. They will shop him too. If he happens to be healthy at the Trade Deadline (a big if), then he will probably have real value to a contending team with a bad contract to move.

The point of resigning Middleton is that it is much easier to trade him. Teams can't match his 30+ million salary. They can easily match a 20 million salary.

I would only expect them to do this if they had such a trade lineup up. I wouldn't expect the Wizards to commit to a bunch more 2026-27 salary in the hopes of some future trade maybe happening. Not when Middleton's health is so iffy.

My guess is that Middleton is assuming that he could at least get MLE money on his next deal. So he probably wouldn't agree to an opt-out and resign unless that new contract pays him at least $24M a year for 2 years (the value of his current deal plus one more year at the MLE). That's a lot of 2026-27 salary to risk.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Yeah, I think they will be shopping Smart, but a deal doesn't necessarily have to happen this summer. It could be a trade deadline deal.

I don't expect them to try and resign Middleton. They will shop him too. If he happens to be healthy at the Trade Deadline (a big if), then he will probably have real value to a contending team with a bad contract to move.

The point of resigning Middleton is that it is much easier to trade him. Teams can't match his 30+ million salary. They can easily match a 20 million salary.

I would only expect them to do this if they had such a trade lineup up. I wouldn't expect the Wizards to commit to a bunch more 2026-27 salary in the hopes of some future trade maybe happening. Not when Middleton's health is so iffy.

They can make it partially guaranteed. It is quite beneficial to Washington. They increase the odds of him being traded 10-fold.

[nate33]

The point of resigning Middleton is that it is much easier to trade him. Teams can't match his 30+ million salary. They can easily match a 20 million salary.

I would only expect them to do this if they had such a trade lineup up. I wouldn't expect the Wizards to commit to a bunch more 2026-27 salary in the hopes of some future trade maybe happening. Not when Middleton's health is so iffy.

They can make it partially guaranteed. It is quite beneficial to Washington. They increase the odds of him being traded 10-fold.

Middleton wouldn't agree to a partial guarantee when he can do nothing, get paid $33.2M. And then probably sign an MLE deal the following year.

[psman2]

I would only expect them to do this if they had such a trade lineup up. I wouldn't expect the Wizards to commit to a bunch more 2026-27 salary in the hopes of some future trade maybe happening. Not when Middleton's health is so iffy.

They can make it partially guaranteed. It is quite beneficial to Washington. They increase the odds of him being traded 10-fold.

Middleton wouldn't agree to a partial guarantee when he can do nothing, get paid $33.2M. And then probably sign an MLE deal the following year.

I agree, the only way he would give up GTD money is if a trade to his preferred landing spot was already lined up.