ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the late news last night that the Boston Celtics are trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers.

https://x.com/shamscharania/status/1937354016171917821?s=46&t=JNU_PcscacW5uaxddMkwNQ

The deal will send Blazers guard Anfernee Simons and 2 future second round picks to Boston. Simons, 26, is on an expiring contract after this year.

How the trade impacts the Celtics

With the Celtics’ deep luxury tax looming over the team, it is a necessary move for future implications. It’s no secret that the team was going to be expensive to keep around, and face dozens of financial penalties if they didn’t make changes. However, the team is still well above the second apron after the trade, so it’s likely more moves are to follow.

https://x.com/yossigozlan/status/1937356058554442222?s=46&t=JNU_PcscacW5uaxddMkwNQ

Sending out Holiday is a tough pill to swallow. Two years ago he joined a Celtics team that underachieved from prior years and needed a veteran leader in that locker room to boost them over the hump. Not only did Holiday fit like a glove with the team, his leadership and core skills helped the Celtics create a stronger culture of confidence — something they lacked.

The Celtics now prepare for life post-Holiday. On the court his defense will be missed. Simons is not a great defender by most NBA metrics, so it would not shock me if the team decides to flip Simons after the trade is finalized.

https://x.com/realbobmanning/status/1937412750994469193?s=46&t=JNU_PcscacW5uaxddMkwNQhttps://x.com/realbobmanning/status/1937412750994469193?s=46&t=JNU_PcscacW5uaxddMkwNQ

Keeping Simons could be in the Celtics best interest if they value his playmaking and scoring ability more. The team is without Jayson Tatum likely all of next year, which means the teams primary scorers will come from Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and now, potentially Simons if they keep him.

Stay tuned for more moves to follow.