Just one day removed from the NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics have already made a big move.
The team traded veteran guard Jrue Holiday for Blazers’ guard Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.
On first glance, it’s a deal that seems to benefit the Celtics. They unloaded the remaining three years and $104 million of Holiday’s deal for a talented guard that averaged 19.3 points per game last season.
No matter how it shakes out on the court, Boston is going to be a whole new ballclub next season.
Celtics projected starting lineup with Anfernee Simons
Last year, Boston at full strength started Holiday, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis.
With Tatum out for the season with a torn Achilles and Holiday in Portland, things will look a lot different.
- PG: Derrick White
- SG: Anfernee Simons
- SF: Jaylen Brown
- PF: Kristaps Porzingis
- C: Luke Kornet
The Celtics have long been known for having depth at the wing position, but this year could be much different. With Tatum’s injury they’ll be forced to rely on young players like Jordan Walsh or Baylor Scheierman. Chances are head coach Joe Mazzulla won’t trust either of those reserves to step into a starting role.
That means the Celtics will either be forced to go small or go big.
In this projected lineup, Boston would play two big men together with Kornet at the five and Porzingis as a four that can shoot from deep. Porzingis originally was drafted as a power forward and played that position for the Knicks. Kornet has shown promise in key minutes for the Celtics and could take on a larger role.
BREAKING: The Boston Celtics have traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/2ycXQicGkT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025
The other option is to slot Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard into the starting lineup and play small with Jaylen Brown at the four. However, that would leave the Celtics susceptible to defensive mismatches. Pritchard and Simons are both liabilities and would be exposed by teams with bigger wings and scoring guards.
Boston’s coaching staff has a lot of options on their hands. It will be intriguing to see how they adjust after this shocking trade.
MORE: Celtics trade grade for Anfernee Simons-Jrue Holiday swap can only be one letter
