Rumors surrounding the future of the Boston Celtics have been plentiful this spring. After losing Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles last month, the door is wide open for change this summer. Boston was already going to be trying to shed salary to get below the NBA's second-apron line; now there's less pressure to field a championship-level team in Tatum's absence.
Sure, they'd probably like to stay competitive, but if they're bad next year, they'll still have their own draft pick. The safety net of that pick likely would make it easier for the Celtics to part ways with some familiar faces if the price was right.
Emphasis on that last part.
In a recent mailbag, The Athletic's Jay King shared that he's unsure if any of the non-Tatum starters are untouchable in trade talks this offseason.
"As far as I’m aware, none of those four players [Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White] will be untouchable, but the price tag for Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will be extremely high," King wrote.
I won't speculate too much on what a potential White or Brown trade would look like, but you'd have to imagine that it'd be the type of deal where the tweet notification wouldn't make fans sick to their stomachs. The return would probably be an overpay from a team that is desperate to take a leap into contention.
Jrue Holiday is looking more and more like the most likely Celtic to be traded this summer
Of the names mentioned, Holiday is the only one to have a list of teams who are reportedly interested in him. Previous reports from reputable sources have linked the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Clippers to the veteran guard.
At 34 years old, Holiday can still contribute to winning at a high level. Even though the Celtics came up short this spring, his on-ball defense and shooting still proved to be valuable. It's not difficult to imagine teams like those above feeling that the two-time NBA Champion can help them achieve that same goal.
The lone drawback to that idea is Holiday's remaining contract. He's owed $104 million over the next three years, including a $37 million player option when he'll be 37 years old. By that point, it may be a tough check to cut.
Regardless, it sounds like Boston has set a tough asking price for Holiday.
The Action Network's Matt Moore shared some insight in his most recent Hardwood Paroxysm newsletter.
"While the focus has been on reducing payroll, sources have told the Paroxysm that Boston is setting the price at a first-round pick along with whatever reduced salary comes back in the deal,” Moore revealed.
Listen, if they get a first-rounder in any hypothetical trade for Holiday, Celtics fans should be over the moon. There's been plenty of discussion within the C's community about whether or not Boston would have to GIVE UP draft capital to shed his salary. So, of course, this would be a welcome revelation.
If there's one thing you should feel confident in, it's Holiday's availability.
NBA Insider Jake Fischer recently shared that the Celtics have, in fact, been fielding calls about potential deals for Holiday.
As more time passes, it's starting to feel more and more likely that Holiday has played his final game as a Celtic.