Celtics trade Jrue Holiday to Blazers for Simons and draft picks

Anfernee Simons
Anfernee Simons

Boston saves $40M in tax, while Portland reunites with Holiday to bolster defense

The Boston Celtics are sending Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. Holiday goes to Portland after being part of the Damian Lillard trade in 2023.

Holiday, owed $72 million through 2028, helped Boston win the title last year, shooting a career-high 42.9% from deep. Simons, 26, is a high-volume 3-point shooter and fits coach Joe Mazzulla’s offensive system.

The deal cuts $40 million in luxury tax for Boston and signals the start of a busy offseason following Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury. Portland, meanwhile, adds veteran leadership to a young core trending upward defensively.

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