The Boston Celtics have made a significant move by trading guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. In this transaction, the Celtics will receive guard Anfernee Simons along with two second-round picks.

Holiday enjoyed a two-season stint in Boston and was pivotal in their winning of the 2024 NBA Championship, also attaining All-Defensive Second-Team honors in the 2023-24 season. His four-year contract, valued at $135 million, contributed to the Celtics’ financial struggles.

The recent injury to Jayson Tatum, who tore his Achilles during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, accelerated the need for the Celtics to make adjustments to their roster. The acquisition of Simons marks a new chapter, with him entering his eighth NBA season where he averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists per game last season, all while being under the final year of a four-year, $100 million contract.