After failing to secure a second consecutive championship, the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday for the Trail Blazers' leading scorer, Anfernee Simons.

The defending NBA champions, the Celtics, were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs this year after their star player Jayson Tatum was injured, missing the chance for back-to-back titles. With next season's salary set to exceed the second tax threshold, they are looking to trade the 35-year-old defensive stalwart Jrue Holiday, who has two championships to his name. According to a report from ESPN on the 24th, Jrue Holiday has been traded to the Trail Blazers in exchange for the team's leading scorer, Anfernee Simons, and two second-round draft picks.

Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday was traded to the Celtics by the Trail Blazers in 2023, helping the team win the championship in the 2023-2024 season, achieving one title each with the Bucks and the Celtics. He played 62 games this season, averaging 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, maintaining solid defensive performance.

Due to the Celtics' projected team salary exceeding the second tax line next season, coupled with Tatum's serious injury which may sideline him for the season, the team is looking to maintain salary cap space and competitiveness. Jrue Holiday, who has three years left on his contract worth approximately $104 million, has become the most likely candidate for a trade.

Anfernee Simons

According to ESPN, the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to acquire Anfernee Simons and two second-round draft picks. Notably, Jrue Holiday was part of the package in the Damian Lillard trade last offseason, sent from the Bucks to the Trail Blazers, but was traded to the Celtics without playing a game, and now he has returned to the Trail Blazers. This trade could save the Celtics about $40 million in luxury tax payments.

The 26-year-old Anfernee Simons played 70 games last season, averaging 19.3 points, making him the team's top scorer, along with 4.8 assists and an average of 3.1 three-pointers per game at a shooting percentage of 36.3%. His contract will expire next year, and his addition will provide the team with more outside shooting firepower.