The Boston Celtics’ attempt at repeating as NBA champions this past season obviously didn’t go as anticipated, falling to the New York Knicks in the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. And now, the organization has opted to make a drastic decision to trade away one of the cornerstones of the organization.
The Celtics are set to be shorthanded next season after Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs. And this has already begun to have major ramifications as to how the organization is seemingly viewing its future.
As a result, getting younger as a team appears to be on the top of the mind of Celtics GM Brad Stevens, who decided to trade a massive piece of the organization on Monday.
According to Shams Charania, the Boston Celtics have dealt two-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive team guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. In return, the Celtics will be receiving Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.
BREAKING: The Boston Celtics have traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/2ycXQicGkT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025
Simons is a fine player who perhaps has the best years of his NBA career ahead of him. But you would be hard-pressed to find many NBA fans arguing that Simons currently impacts the game more than Holiday does on both sides of the court.
But, when you consider that Holiday is 35 years of age, it’s easy to see that this is more of a long-term trade for the Celtics, considering Tatum is expected to be on the shelf for the majority of the 2025-26 NBA season.
It will be interesting to see whether Brad Stevens will perhaps make even more moves in light of Tatum’s injury. But at this point, it is safe to say that Tatum’s injury has clearly changed the organization’s plans heading into the future.