With the Celtics looking to find ways to shave their luxury tax bill, the Clippers are expected to be among the teams to show interest in veteran point guard Jrue Holiday, Brian Robb of MassLive.com reports.
Holiday will likely have multiple suitors, but the Clippers’ front office has previously pursued Holiday, Robb notes — L.A. was outbid by Boston on the 2023 trade market. The Celtics shipped Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and two future first- round picks to Portland for Holiday.
Holiday has three years and $104MM remaining on his contract. Robb notes that Bogdan Bogdanovic ($16MM) could be a crucial matching salary piece if the two sides pursue a deal.
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- Taking their cue from the Pacers and Thunder, the Celtics need to get younger and cheaper talent, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe opines. In order for the Celtics to stay under the second apron, they need to have players on rookie contracts and — when the time comes — give them less-than-max rookie extensions. They need to hit on their two draft picks at No. 28 and 32 to help achieve that goal, Washburn notes.
- Regarding their trade assets, Robb details how many future picks the Celtics hold. Boston has one first-rounder and two second-rounders next year but doesn’t have a second-rounder in 2027. Robb also notes the Celtics currently have no picks in 2029.
- Yossi Gozlan of ThirdApron.com (Substack link) doesn’t see the club trading Jaylen Brown but believes the next 12 months could be the optimal window to move Derrick White, who is set to begin a four-year, $128MM extension. If White is retained, the club should be able to achieve its financial goals by trading Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Sam Hauser, Gozlan writes.
the team that needs Holiday the most is the Lakers not the Clippers. Holiday to the Lakers for Reeves and Rui plus a 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder. Celtics get rid of payroll because Ruis is a FA after this year and picks up a couple of draft picks.
Nice rip off of the Lakers imo and costs somebody their job in Los Angeles.
How? Holiday will give them thedefense they need when LeBron and Luka is on the floor. Lakers lack defense and Holiday is one of the best
He’s saying that’s way too much for the Lakers to give up and I agree. Holiday is an excellent defender but I don’t think the Lakers would have to give up that much for him.
True
Forget the picks and players. Impossible to get past the two franchisers working together.
Also a true factor IMO
I’d love for the Celtics to get Austin Reaves!
arc89 , IMO, It makes a ton of sense for Celtics, but not for Lakers.
The Holiday we saw this past year is far behind Reaves in market value.
Holiday is 35 years old, with 3 years remaining at $35M per year. Terrible contract, too risky for Lakers in years 2 and 3.
old and in decline
Wait. You don’t like Holidays contract and think it would be difficult to move him? Why didn’t you say so before?
Problem with the Lkaers they do not have much off assetsbesides Reeves to trade. They are not trading Luka or lebron so they are left with draft picks and Reeves as their only asset worth anything.
arc89 – I agree that Reaves is the Lakers’ only trade chip, but, IMO, they will trade him only for a legit C.
With Luka and LeBron, Holiday’s ball-handling feels like a luxury.
Lakers can fill their other need, a wing defender, more afffirdably.
I am guessing they were hoping for LeBron to opt out this year and build a strong team around Luka. This team is like a bunch of partsthrown in to be a team. If LeBron doesn’t get a extra year to take the option year that will show they are moving on from LeBron for the 2026 season.
LJ should opt out as he has no chance at a ring in the city of angels IMO. Sadly it’s to late for the king , unless Luka grows 5 inches and drops 25 pounds.
Kristaps Porzingis – $30.7M last year of contract
2nd rounder 2026
2nd rounder 2027
Nikola Vucevic – $21.1M last year of contract
Lonzo Ball – $10M (2027 $10M team option)
Celtics get Vu and a floor general in Ball (reduce salary next year). Lonzo is still a proven defender, also Vucevic helps out the offense and can shoot from outside. Helps Boston compete next year.
Bulls get KP’s last year of his deal, but more valuable 2 2nd round picks, subsequently 2026 and 2027.
Thoughts?
If the Bulls wouldn’t trade Vuc for a 1st last year, why would they trade him and Zo both for two seconds? Porzingis value has tanked, he’s close to salary matching at this point.
I just want both of them gone lmao that’s why.
The last player the Celtics should be looking to trade is Derrick White. This guy shows up all the time, and is even move valuable when Tatum is out. I understand they need to duck the 2nd apron here, but the Celtics should be careful not to completely dismantle a championship team too quickly. It makes sense to move on from Holiday and Porzingis due to injury and age, and Hauser will be easy to move and only provides shooting. But the Celtics have to be able to properly fill in that depth in the returns for these trades. Focus on players and not picks.
Totally agree. White should be untouchable
Trade idea
Clippers get Holiday
Celtics get Powell, Bogdan and 2030 Clippers First
Then Celtics send Powell, Bogdan and 2030 Clippers First to Nets for a second round pick
In February, Nets trade Powell for a first round pick
Could’ve won the finals this year, maybe should’ve. Especially when the didn’t have to play Tatum, they should’ve won. What a fall from grace.
Wow, stop. I dont think you really know the meaning of that phrase.
Celtics lost the year after they won, which every other team since Steph’s warriors have also done.
It’s amazing how we give up on championship contender. Celtics do nothing they can still win it next year. All these players were signed knowing where they would be today. Why is it suddenly different cause you go out in second round.
The business side ????
Holiday is a good move. Cause with Whites emergence. They can afford to move him. I still say Dallas is best place. PJ contract is reasonable, he provides a position of need. And Gafford is an expiring contract. Then they can let Kornet walk.
Business ……
Holiday is waste on any LA team. He is a much better offensive player. Than he is given credit for. In Dallas or Miami is where he can show that.
I always thought the point of signing your players. Is to keep them together to compete. You sign the players you believe in. The team you believe in.
Now OKC and Indiana are the model cause of youth. Yeah but first you have to accumulate all those #1 picks. Then hit on them and develop them. Pacers pieces have come from other teams giving up on them. And Thunder and Pacers have never won a chip ,……. Business huh ????
They need a new system that’s y they lost this yr and I think moving Brown now is a must he was missing games all yr but he still played in the stupid All Star game well he was “injured”
Imo moving Jrue for right pieces. Still makes them a contender. Brown, Tatum, White are in their prime. Now if they can move KP too. Then thats a big plus. This draft has talent in late picks (a big). If Celtics are smart they can find two players that can help next yr picks #28, #32.
Mavs – Holiday.
Celtics – Gafford, Marshall via mavs. 19th pick via Brooklyn.
Nets – Hauser + pick 28.
Problem solving for everyone.
Amazing for the Celtics. If Brad can talk the other two teams into it then he is front runner for executive of the year.
Trade idea, Clippers get the super overrated Paul George and OKC get SGA and a bunch of picks. Who remembers this trade?