Holiday's Portland Layover Celtics Cash In!

Report: Celtics Trade Jrue Holiday Back to Portland for Anfernee Simons, Two Second-Round Picks

In a surprising turn of events, Jrue Holiday is once again heading to Portland. But will his stay with the Trail Blazers be longer this time around? The Boston Celtics have reportedly agreed to trade Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. The news was initially broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and subsequently confirmed by various other reports.

The Celtics' motivation behind this move was no secret: they were actively looking to trade Holiday and his remaining three-year, $104.4 million contract to alleviate salary cap pressures. Simons, a 26-year-old shooting guard, has one year left on his contract at $27.7 million. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, this trade is projected to save Boston a significant $40 million in salary and luxury tax payments, while also positioning them approximately $18 million under the second tax apron. This deal allows Boston to shed salary without sacrificing valuable assets.

Jrue Holiday's career has taken an interesting path. Following a pivotal role in the Milwaukee Bucks' championship win, he was initially traded to Portland. However, his time there was short-lived as the Trail Blazers swiftly re-routed him to Boston. In Boston, Holiday played a key role in helping the Celtics secure a championship title just last year.

While Holiday could significantly bolster Portland's defense and serve as an excellent mentor for Scoot Henderson, the long-term plan remains uncertain. Currently, the Trail Blazers boast a roster filled with intriguing rotation players, including:

• Jrue Holiday
• Deni Avdija
• Shaedon Sharpe
• Donovan Clingan
• Scoot Henderson
• Deandre Ayton
• Toumani Camara
• Jerami Grant

Given the landscape, it's highly plausible that the Trail Blazers might consider re-routing Holiday once again. The 35-year-old is an elite defensive guard, who last season averaged 11.1 points per game while shooting 35.3% from beyond the arc. He's known to be a valuable presence in the locker room wherever he plays.

On the other side, the Celtics acquire a potent scorer in Anfernee Simons. Last season, Simons averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists per game, while shooting 36.3% from 3-point range. Although his efficiency is considered average, his scoring ability will be crucial, especially with Jayson Tatum potentially sidelined for a significant portion of the upcoming season.

Reports suggest that the Celtics aren't finished making cost-saving trades, indicating a continued focus on financial flexibility moving forward.

In conclusion, this trade represents a strategic move for both the Celtics and the Trail Blazers, each addressing their respective needs and priorities. Whether Holiday remains in Portland or finds himself on the move again remains to be seen, but the deal undoubtedly reshapes the landscape of both teams. The Celtics gain financial flexibility and a reliable scorer, while the Trail Blazers add a veteran presence, even if potentially temporary. The ripple effects of this trade will be fascinating to watch as the NBA season unfolds.

Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/report-celtics-trade-jrue-holiday-back-to-portland-for-anfernee-simons-two-second-round-picks