The Portland Trail Blazers have ended Anfernee Simons’ seven-year run with the franchise by trading him to the Boston Celtics for Jrue Holiday, an NBA source has confirmed to The Oregonian/Oregon Live.
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news.
Simons, 26, averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists last season while struggling to adapt to being the starting point guard.
His days with the Blazers appeared numbered when, in 2023, Portland selected point guard Scoot Henderson with the No. 3 pick in the draft.
That move led superstar Damian Lillard to request a trade. He was sent to Milwaukee for Holiday. Soon after, the Blazers traded Holiday to Boston for Brogdon, Robert Williams III and picks.
Now Holiday, 35, returns to the Blazers for Simons and two second-round picks.
Should the Blazers keep Holiday, a two-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive performer, he would fit nicely at point guard with Henderson coming off the bench.
However, the Blazers want to continue playing fast, a style that better suits Henderson.
At the same time, coach Chauncey Billups has sought to improve the team’s defense since arriving in 2021. Holiday is regarded as one of the best defensive guards in the NBA.
(More to come)
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)