Jrue Holiday is averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists with Portland, but has played only 12 games.
Jrue Holiday is averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists with Portland, but has played only 12 games.Amanda Loman/Associated Press
PORTLAND — Jrue Holiday said he knew the business side of the game would supersede any loyalties with the Celtics. And he was right. The club traded its defensive stalwart just a few weeks after being eliminated from the playoffs.
Because the Celtics sought to get under the second salary cap apron and the repercussions and limitations that come with paying so much money in salaries, Holiday’s $32.4 million this season and $34.8 million next season was a major priority to be moved. Holiday understood the move.
“I just look at it like it’s a part of the game, a part of this lifestyle,” said Holiday, who did not play in Sunday night’s Celtics-Trail Blazers game. “You have to be able to adjust as quickly as possible. Not only me, but Boston had to too. Not only as a team but as a city.
“We went from the favorites to everything [changing] and a lot of people going different places. I look at it as an opportunity.”
Holiday got off to a strong start with the Trail Blazers but has been sidelined since mid-November because of a calf strain. But his two years in Boston were successful, helping the club win a championship and smoothly blending into the team culture.
But when Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks and the Celtics were eliminated a few days later, there appeared to be a finality to their championship group. Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were traded while Al Horford and Luke Kornet signed with other clubs. The era was over.
“I think we know basketball a little bit in terms of how the money is,” Holiday said. “And how not everybody can stay and we knew there was going to be a change. You just don’t know what the change might be. But I don’t think I speculated or saw what was going to happen or where everybody was going to go. I think when you look at the business side of it, you kind of know that some changes are going to happen.”
Holiday was traded to Portland for swingman Anfernee Simons and a $4.7 million trade exception that could prove valuable as the trade deadline approaches.
Simons glad to be back
Sunday night was the first game back in Portland for Simons, a former Blazers first-round pick, who spent seven years with Portland. He is 18th on the team’s all-time scoring list and third in 3-pointers made.
“I’m excited about going back,” he said Friday. “I’m not big on getting all the attention. It’s going to be a little weird but I’m going to try to take in the moment the best way I can. I try to shy away from attention but obviously you get those once-in-a lifetime type of things coming back to a city where you grew up in.”
The reserved Simons was uncomfortable with the idea of being in the spotlight.
“All that attention is going to be on me and everybody looking at me,” he said. “I appreciate it but other than that it’s going to be cool. I hope I don’t get emotional.”
Injuries abound
Celtics reserve Chris Boucher missed his second consecutive game because of personal reasons but Mazzulla said he is expected to rejoin the team for Tuesday’s game in Utah … Those looking for a Celtics reunion with Holiday and Robert Williams were disappointed. Williams, who played Friday night in a loss to the Clippers, was held out because of left knee injury management. The Blazers also were without Damian Lillard (Achilles) and Scoot Henderson (hamstring). Third-leading scorer Jerami Grant also sat out with Achilles tendonitis.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.