The Boston Celtics made their first big move of the offseason on Monday night, trading away veteran guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks (2029, 2030). The deal brings back a younger guard in Simons but also is a first step in a major retooling by the Celtics this offseason. A league source tells MassLive that the Celtics are very active in trade talks even after the Holiday deal and more moves could be on the horizon as soon as the next 48 hours.
Where does the Holiday trade leave Boston’s roster for the present? Let’s take a closer look at the cap implications of the move and the work that’s left for the Celtics to do from a financial standpoint.
Celtics payroll for 2025-26
Jayson Tatum: $54.1 million
Jaylen Brown: $53.1 million
Kristaps Porzingis: $30.7 million
Derrick White: $28.1 million
Anfernee Simons: $27.6 million
Sam Hauser: $10 million
Payton Pritchard: $7.2 million
Baylor Scheierman: $2.6 million
Xavier Tillman: $2.5 million
Neemias Queta: $2.3 million
Jordan Walsh: $2.2 million (non-guaranteed)
First round draft pick: $2.5 million
JD Davison: $2.2 million (team option)
Analysis: Holiday makes $4.7 million more than Simons but the big win for the Celtics in this deal is getting off Holiday’s long-term contract. The veteran guard clearly has plenty of value around the league, but it’s evident that Holiday’s high salary was a luxury Boston could not afford as they entered into the repeater tax territory above the second apron with Jayson Tatum sidelined.
Instead, the Celtics started trimming salary slowly and surely in this deal by acquiring Simons. However, there is still a lot of work to be done by Boston. The team still sits $18 million above the second apron despite the cost savings, so the Celtics will need to continue to chip away at that number in the coming weeks and months to avoid the basketball penalties that come with being above the second apron.
The possibility of bigger moves for Boston is still very much in play now, per sources, after a second-round exit and Tatum’s recovery. Simons looks to be a part of that plan for now but his expiring contract makes him a movable deal if a compelling offer emerges. Other obvious trade candidates (Kristaps Porzingis, Sam Hauser) certainly remain candidates to be moved. A major move may not be likely, but can’t be ruled out either, with Boston still needing to make major cuts to reduce a historic luxury tax bill.
Look for the Celtics to remain busy heading into the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday.
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