Report: Boston Celtics seeking first round pick, reduced cap hit in Jrue Holiday trade
Report: Boston Celtics seeking first round pick, reduced cap hit in Jrue Holiday trade
The Boston Celtics are widely seen as a team likely to make substantive moves this offseason to get ahead of an unprecedented payroll and tax bill set to hand Boston more money in luxury tax penalties than actual salary. And while there have been but sparse rumbles to that end since the Celtics' season ended at the hands of the New York Knicks in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, things seem to be heating up on the trade rumor front.
Fresh on the heels of a report from the Stein Line's Marc Stein that Boston has been fielding calls regarding veteran guard Jrue Holiday, Hardwood Paroxysm's Matt Moore relates that the Celtics are not just looking for "whatever reduced salary comes back in the deal," but also a first round draft pick.
This appears to fly in the face of some reports making the rounds earlier in Boston's offseason that the Celtics might need to attach draft capital to get off of Holiday's substantial remaining salary, but with teams often negotiating through the media at this point in the league calendar, the truth is likely somewhere in the middle.
Holiday still has considerable value as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and while his offensive game has slipped a bit with age, he can still deliver a punch on that end of the court when his number is called. The UCLA alum is owed $32.4 million next season, $34.8 million in 2026-27, and has a team option for $37.2 million in 2027-28, a substantial financial commitment even considering what Holiday brings as a player in this cap environment.
We have heard reporting tying the Boston guard to the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks in recent weeks, and that field might expand further pending what other moves are made (or closed off) as we get closer to the 2025 NBA draft on June 25.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
The Boston Celtics could look to trade up in the 2025 NBA Draft
The Boston Celtics could look to trade up in the 2025 NBA Draft The Boston Celtics hold the 28th and 32nd picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Brad Stevens and the front office have already begun holding pre-draft workouts with players that could potentially fall within that range. Since taking the President of Basketball Operations role, Stevens has leaned toward long-tenured collegiate players, as they're often more polished and capable of contributing at the NBA level. Given the Celtics' precarious cap space situation and the potential for multiple roster changes this summer, the upcoming draft could be an important one for Boston. While not a usual Celtics source, Grant Afseth of RG has reported that Boston is exploring moving up in the draft, as they look for a long-term solution at the point guard position. "The Boston Celtics are quietly conducting due diligence on point guard prospects and evaluating trade-up scenarios ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, league sources told RG," Afseth reported on June 11. "Boston's interest in the position comes as veteran guard Jrue Holiday remains the subject of trade interest around the league. The Celtics have not shut down trade talks centered around Holiday as the team prepares to potentially reconfigure its long-term cap table. The possibility of adding a point guard prospect to begin developing should not be overlooked." It remains to be seen what type of guard the Celtics could be interested in. Trying to replace Jrue Holiday is a tall order. The veteran guard is a genuine three-level scorer and one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. However, if the opportunity to add a high-potential guard to the rotation becomes available, the Celtics would be wise to explore it. Should the Celtics acquire another guard via the draft, it will be interesting to see how that impacts JD Davison, who finally got his first full-time NBA contract late last season. The 2025 G League MVP could quickly find himself glued to the bench if Joe Mazzulla is given a remit to develop a draft talent ahead of Jayson Tatum's return in 2026. The Celtics are expected to make multiple roster moves in the coming months. The rotation will likely look very different by the start of the new season. If that means there's a new rookie to cheer for, the fanbase will likely get behind their development. For now, though, all eyes will be on what happens in the trade market, along with what could happen on draft night. Watch the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast on: YouTube: Website:
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
NBA Player Sends Message After Being Released by Celtics in 2019
NBA Player Sends Message After Being Released by Celtics in 2019 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Back in 2016, the Boston Celtics had a major rookie class that consisted of a few important names. Most notably, with the third overall pick that yet, Boston drafted Jaylen Brown. Brown is still a part of the Celtics and was crucial to their championship victory in 2024, earning Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals MVP honors. Advertisement In addition to Brown, the Celtics also drafted another notable player that year in Guerschon Yabusele, who they took 16th overall. The French native spent two seasons in Boston before the team waived him in 2019. Nearly six years later, Yabusele sent a message regarding his time in Boston. Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28).© Kyle Ross-Imagn Images After getting waived by the Celtics in 2019, Yabusele played overseas and did not return to the NBA until last year. Following an impressive run in the Olympics, Yabusele joined the Philadelphia 76ers and appeared in nearly every game for the team. Recently, the 29-year-old spoke about how different his mentality is now compared to his Celtics days, and he admitted to it being "completely different" (h/t Cyro Asseo de Choch of HoopsHype). Advertisement "It was a completely different mentality than when I was in Boston, because when I was in Boston, I was drafted first round, 16th pick, so my standards and what I was hoping was completely different from right now," Yabusele said. "I didn't have that much experience, too. I was really just young, and I wanted just to play." Despite being a first-round draft pick for Boston, Yabusele did not play much. During his two seasons with the team, he averaged just 6.6 minutes across 74 games. Yabusele is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. It remains to be seen whether he will remain in Philadelphia or go elsewhere. Regardless, he has done a fantastic job of reviving his NBA career after his release from the Celtics, and his status will be a fun one to follow throughout the offseason. Related: Celtics Free Agent Sends Message Before Major Career Decision Related: Former Celtics Star Announces Decision on Retirement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Named in Trade Report
Former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Named in Trade Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Clippers are coming off their healthiest season in years and were just inches away from advancing past the first round of the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2021. Advertisement Because of that, it will be no surprise that LA plans to add some reinforcements this offseason. The Boston Celtics have been linked as a potential trade partner, as MassLive's Brian Robb reported that the Clippers have interest in Jrue Holiday. The one caveat is that Holiday is on an expensive contract, and will only continue to get expensive over the next three years. He will get paid over $30 million annually as he approaches his late-30s. Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4)David Butler II-Imagn Images Hence, the Clippers may look for cheaper options first. ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel revealed that there are two Celtics alumni that the Clippers may target: Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart. Advertisement "The Clippers are going to continue adding experienced guys to their roster, and Malcolm Brogdon still seems realistic," SIegel wrote. "Wouldn't be shocked to see them inquire about Marcus Smart either." The Clippers previously targeted Brogdon back when they were the original third team that helped orchestrate the trade that would send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston in 2023, but bowed out. He could have more appeal to them now because he may not cost as much. Since the Celtics traded Smart in 2023, he has struggled staying on the court because of injuries, but he too would cost substantially less than Holiday would, and his contract is set to expire in 2026. He is also a former Defensive Player of the Year, winning the award with Boston in 2022. Advertisement Related: Potential Kevin Durant to Celtics Trade Receives Update Related: NBA Player Sends Message After Being Released by Celtics in 2019 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
