The Portland Trail Blazersto alter the terms of the deal slightly trade with the Boston Celtics has been reduced to a straight player swap without the previously reported two second-round picks going to the Celtics, a league source has told The Oregonian/OregonLive.
According to the source, a recent review of Holiday’s medicals revealed nothing substantial enough to warrant the trade being negated. However, there was enough there to lead the Blazers to alter the terms of the deal slightly.
Holiday, the source said, is considered to be healthy and will be working out this summer in preparation for the start of training camp near the end of September.
The trade was first reported on June 23 and involved sending two second-round picks and Simons to the Celtics for Holiday.
However, the trade couldn’t be announced until after July 6, when all negotiated deals could be formally finalized.
Simons, 26, has one year remaining on his contract that will pay him $27.7 million next season.
Holiday, 35, has two guaranteed years and a player option remaining on his deal worth about $104.4 million. He will make $32.4 million next season.
The Blazers gained more experience with Holiday, a two-time All-Star and NBA champion, but also got older and took on a considerably larger financial commitment.
However, should Holiday, who missed 20 games last year with a wide array of injuries, remain healthy, the Blazers could deal him to a contender in need of a veteran guard before the trade deadline.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
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