The Celtics have a host of options at their disposal this offseason as they weigh different paths to move forward following Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear. A looming financial crunch due to stiff luxury tax repeater penalties is expected to make some high-priced Celtics starters available on the trade market. Jrue Holiday is one name that Boston is listening on according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Holiday is expected to be on the radar for several Western Conference teams per multiple reports. The 34-year-old guard has spent the past two seasons in Boston after the Celtics dealt away Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Willians and two future first-round picks for the defensive stopper during September 2023.
Boston went on to sign Holiday to a four-year extension last spring but he’s set to earn an average of $34 million over the next three seasons, which potentially makes him a little too costly to keep in Boston with the team also paying Tatum and Jaylen Brown together on super max deals beginning this summer.
The challenge for the Celtics will be finding value for Holiday on the trade market with the veteran guard remaining under contract at big money through age 37. With a lack of appealing free agent options available at guard, it’s no surprise that Holiday is garnering interest already.
MassLive broke down seven potential landing spots for Holiday last month in a hypothetical trade. Brooklyn is the only team that could absorb Holiday’s deal outright into their cap size. Otherwise, the other team involved in acquiring would need to send out at least $22.5 million in salary for the trade to work under CBA rules. Holiday is set to make $32.4 million next season.
Look for trade rumors surrounding Holiday and other Celtics rotation players to continue to swirl as the NBA Draft approaches on June 25.