Tue Jun 24 04:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Celtics Trade Jrue Holiday to Portland for Anfernee Simons in Salary-Saving Move
**Boston, MA** – In a surprising move Monday night, the Boston Celtics traded veteran guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons and two future second-round draft picks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports. The trade appears to be driven by financial considerations for the Celtics, who are looking to shed salary and avoid the luxury tax.
Holiday, fresh off a key role in the Celtics’ 2024 championship run, averaged 11.1 points and 4.3 rebounds last season. He was originally acquired by Boston after a brief stint with Portland following the Damian Lillard trade. The Celtics are projected to save $4.7 million in salary next season and move $18 million over the second apron with this move.
“This deal is only the beginning for the Celtics this offseason,” Charania reported, indicating that further trades involving “multiple key players” could be on the horizon as the team navigates its financial constraints. The Celtics, who finished last season with a league-leading 61-21 record, are also dealing with a significant blow as star Jayson Tatum is sidelined with an Achilles injury.
For the Trail Blazers, acquiring Holiday provides a potentially valuable veteran presence for their young roster. However, whether Portland intends to keep the 35-year-old guard remains to be seen. Holiday is owed $67.2 million over the next two years with a $37.2 million player option for a third.
Anfernee Simons, 25, has been a consistent performer for Portland, averaging 19.3 points and 4.8 assists last season. Entering the final year of his four-year, $100 million contract, Simons offers the Celtics a promising young player on an expiring deal, aligning with their need to manage salary cap space. Simons was drafted 24th overall in 2018 by Portland.
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