Ahead of the 2025 draft and free agency, the Boston Celtics made a pair of blockbuster trades to ditch two of the starters from their 2024 title team.
Boston lost six-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum to an Achilles tendon tear during the club’s eventual six-game second round playoff series loss to the New York Knicks. Given the extreme nature of the injury, the Celtics are likely to be without Tatum for most or all of the 2025-26 season.
The Celtics moved quickly to cut payroll costs, with an exorbitant second luxury tax apron-bound bill looming (the team is back in that tax now after some free agent signings, but seems destined to dip back under soon).
Boston flipped oft-hurt center Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets, and were compensated with a second round pick and forward Georges Niang in the offing. The Celtics also traded six-time All-Defensive Team guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Anfernee Simons. The deal initially included two future second rounders being sent back to Boston, but troubling medical results compelled Portland to re-negotiate and hold onto those picks.
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In a new team press statement announcing the moves, team president Brad Stevens has officially welcomed Boston’s two newest additions.
“Anfernee is a really good young player who has continuously improved in his seven years in the NBA,” Stevens said. “Georges is no stranger to Boston and has continuously been a winning player over the course of his career. We are excited to add both of them to the team.”
The Celtics have yet to schedule an introductory press conference for Simons, which prompted The Ringer’s Bill Simmons to hint that the 26-year-old combo guard at least may be on the move in another trade.
“We are so thankful for KP and Jrue and the time we had together in Boston,” Stevens said. “They were great Celtics whose impact on our organization went well beyond the court. They were integral parts of two great teams, including one which brought us all a new banner. Their impact on this organization will last a long time, and we look forward to celebrating them when they return to the Garden this season.”
