Portland Trail Blazers Confirm Trade for Jrue Holiday
On Monday, the Portland Trail Blazers confirmed their trade for two-time All-Star guard Jrue Holiday, but recent reports indicate that the details have changed from what was originally disclosed on June 23. The Boston Celtics will now be receiving guard Anfernee Simons in what has turned into a straightforward swap of players, with two future second-round picks no longer included in the agreement. This adjustment follows last week’s commencement of the new league year, which permitted the official announcement of such transactions.
Medical Review and Player Status
According to a report by The Oregonian, the Blazers conducted a thorough review of Holiday’s medical background, which ultimately did not uncover any significant issues that would affect the deal. Holiday, who faced injury challenges last season and missed 20 games, is expected to be fit for the upcoming training camp in September.
Celtics Roster Restructuring
The Celtics have been restructuring their roster by parting ways with high-salaried players, including Holiday, and forward/center Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Notably, Celtics star Jayson Tatum recently sustained a torn right Achilles tendon during the playoffs, necessitating a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Contract Details
Jrue Holiday is set to earn $32.4 million this season, with an additional $72 million owed in the final two years of his four-year, $134.4 million contract he signed with Boston in April 2024. Meanwhile, Simons, who is 26 years old, joins the Celtics on an expiring contract, providing additional financial relief for Boston by saving about $40 million in luxury tax next year.
Holiday’s Impact and Career Overview
Holiday was initially acquired by Portland from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for star player Damian Lillard, but he never took the court for the Blazers before this recent trade to Boston, which also netted Portland a pair of first-round draft picks.
In his short stint with the Celtics, Holiday proved to be pivotal in their run to the NBA Championship in 2024, achieving his career-best 3-point shooting rate at 42.9% and earning a spot on the All-Defensive Team. Last season, he averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals. The guard was originally selected 17th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2009 NBA Draft and has built an impressive career across 1,037 games, boasting averages of 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds.
Simons’ Performance and Career Stats
Simons, drafted 24th overall by the Trail Blazers in 2018, averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season. Across seven seasons with Portland, he recorded career averages of 15.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.5 rebounds over 389 games, including 213 starts. Notably, he has consistently attempted nearly nine 3-pointers per game over the last three seasons and holds a career shooting percentage of 38.1% from beyond the arc.
