Celtics Shake Up Roster, Trade Holiday for Simons
In a move signaling a major shift, the Boston Celtics have traded veteran guard **Jrue Holiday** to the Portland Trail Blazers. In return, they gain young scorer **Anfernee Simons** and two future second-round draft picks, reshaping their championship-winning roster.
Trade Details Unveiled
The transaction, confirmed by multiple reports, sees the Celtics acquiring **Simons** and draft capital. The Trail Blazers receive **Holiday**, a seasoned point guard. This trade signifies the start of what is expected to be a busy offseason for the Celtics.
BREAKING: The Boston Celtics have traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/2ycXQicGkT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025
“The Celtics get off the combined $72M owed to **Holiday** in 2026-27 and 2027-28.”
—Bobby Marks, ESPN
The deal will also provide an estimated $40 million in tax savings for the Celtics, according to ESPN’s **Bobby Marks**. ESPN data shows that such moves are becoming more common as teams navigate the NBA’s financial complexities.
Impact on Both Teams
The Celtics likely sought to offload **Holiday** due to his substantial contract, which included $104.4 million over three seasons, on top of the large deals for **Jayson Tatum** and **Jaylen Brown**. **Simons**, known for his scoring ability, offers a dynamic offensive presence for the Celtics.
The 26-year-old guard has averaged at least 17.3 points per game in each of his previous four seasons with the Blazers. His career 3-point shooting percentage is 38.1% on 6.5 attempts per game, which should blend well with a Celtics squad that led the league in long-range shots last season.
The Celtics will miss the defense and leadership of **Holiday**, but his scoring output had declined. **Holiday**, who aided the Bucks in winning the 2021 NBA title, has averaged 15.8 points throughout his 16-year career.