The Boston Celtics are contemplating a major trade as this month's 2025 NBA Draft approaches.
Sources have informed Grant Afseth of RG.org that the 2024 champs are looking to potentially move up in the draft this year. Boston currently possesses the Nos. 28 and 32 picks.
Staring down the priciest luxury tax bill in the history of the league, adding cheaper rotation pieces — and moving off of some hefty veteran contracts — could greatly behoove the club.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick White and center Luke Kornet
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick White and center Luke Kornet
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Afseth also provides some clarity on what kinds of player the Celtics are targeting, noting that Boston is hoping to draft "a rotation-level guard on a rookie contract."
Six-time All-Defensive Team guard Jrue Holiday, owed $104.4 over the next three seasons, suffered a significant performative dip in 2024-25, his age-34 season. Afseth notes that chatter persists about a potential Holiday trade for cap relief.
The 6-foot-4 UCLA product, whose addition via trade in 2023 helped Boston win its record-extending 18th title during his first season with the franchise, averaged 11.1 points on .443/.353/.909 shooting splits, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals a night.
In fairness, Holiday had been grappling with a mallet finger injury for much of the year, although his lateral quickness slipping can't be chalked up to that.
This spring, the Celtics failed to advance beyond the second round just a year removed from their 2024 championship run. With center Kristaps Porzingis and four-time All-Star small forward Jaylen Brown ailing (and six-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum eventually ruled out for the playoffs after tearing his Achilles tendon late into Game 4), Boston fell in six contests to the New York Knicks during a stunning semifinals upset.