Jrue Holiday traded to Portland: medical examinations modify trade terms
May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) dribbles in front of New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The trade between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Boston Celtics involving Jrue Holiday and Anfernee Simons was made official on Monday, but the terms were modified from what was announced on June 23. Holiday’s medical examinations prompted both franchises to revise their initial agreement.
Simplified trade after medical review
Initially, the Celtics were supposed to receive Anfernee Simons along with two future second-round picks. Eventually, it became a straight player-for-player trade. According to The Oregonian, a review of Holiday’s medical history didn’t reveal anything substantial enough to cancel the trade, but enough to lead the Blazers to slightly modify the agreement terms.
The 35-year-old veteran, who missed 20 games last season due to multiple injuries, is considered healthy and available for training camp in September. Holiday will earn $32.4 million next season and is still due approximately $72 million combined in 2026-2027 and 2027-2028, as part of his four-year, $134.4 million contract signed with Boston in April 2024.
Boston reduces payroll, Portland bets on experience
This trade allows the Celtics to save about $40 million in luxury tax next season. The 2024 defending champions have already traded high-contract players like Kristaps Porzingis, who was sent to the Atlanta Hawks. Simons, 26, joins Boston with an expiring contract.
For Portland, acquiring Holiday represents a bet on experience. The two-time NBA champion (2021 with Milwaukee, 2024 with Boston) brings leadership to a young locker room trying to emerge from reconstruction. Last season, Holiday averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, with an excellent 42.9% from 3-point range that earned him a spot on the All-Defensive team.
Simons, selected 24th by Portland in 2018, leaves Oregon after seven seasons. The 26-year-old point guard averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season, confirming his status as a reliable scorer with 38.1% career 3-point shooting.
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