According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Boston Celtics are actively considering trade options for Jrue Holiday, and teams around the league are calling their phone to inquire about him. “Boston is most definitely listening on calls for Jrue Holiday, sources say,” Stein wrote.
Holiday has been a hot name in rumors ever since the season ended. Boston will likely be looking to duck below the second apron, which means they will need to shed at least $20 million in salary. Moving Holiday’s $32.4 million would go a long way toward accomplishing that goal, and he’s on the books through the 2027-28 season.
That said, a potential trade fully depends on what suitors are available.
Why might the Celtics make big-time trades?
A few months back, Wyc Grousbeck went on the radio and detailed just how damaging the current second-apron restrictions are. He noted that he doesn’t think a single team in the next 40 years will stay in the second apron for more than two years in a row.
"You can't stay in the second apron," Grousbeck said on The Greg Hill Show. "Nobody will. I predict for the next 40 years of the CBA no one's gonna stay in the second apron more than two years."
Boston has been a second-apron team for two straight years now, and in order to adhere to Grousbeck’s prediction (which is rooted in practicality), they will have to shed a ton of salary.
Getting rid of $20 million is just the start, too, as that doesn’t account for Boston’s need to re-sign Al Horford and Luke Kornet, nor does it account for them having to sign their draft picks.
Why is Jrue Holiday a top trade candidate?
Holiday is slated to make the third-most money on the team heading into next season. Only Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be on the Celtics’ books for more money.
On top of that, his long-term salary could hurt the Celtics in the future, as it will put them in danger of being above the second apron in upcoming seasons.
The Celtics also already have a solid guard core behind Holiday. Derrick White has been a fringe All-Star and a constant candidate for All-Defense, and Payton Pritchard just enjoyed a breakout season in a sixth-man role. He could easily step up into a starting role for the Celtics moving forward.
If there are takers for Holiday, it would make sense to get a solid deal for him now.