Shams: Jrue Holiday Traded to Blazers For Simons & Two Second Rounders

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Shocked this happened so fast. Did not think they would be able to move him at all let alone so easily with that contract. 

Will miss Jrue. But his scoring was way down in Boston. He was fantastic when called on. He is a true winner.

Simons is an upgrade scoring. Can shoot the 3 well. Plays little to no defense. Will be interesting how he fits.

Thank God Brad did not deal with the Clippers. 

Now that this one has been made I guess more moves are coming. I hope Davison is cut loose. Would love to see Walsh traded. He is a bum.

Obviously KP is the next one to watch. Don't think JB is going anywhere.

We need cheap young players to eat up roster spots and you want to move them because they are "bums". We're a second apron team for a reason.

He has been with the team what 3 seasons and has yet to really improve. You think he is a rotational player for the Celtics? I don't.

I like Walsh as a cheerleader.  He seems to work hard and to be a good guy.  But, he struggles.  He just lacks a little fluidity out there; it's like he's thinking about what to do, rather than doing things instinctively.

I get both of your points.  We need cheap roster fodder, but ideally, that roster fodder could play a little bit in a pinch, particularly if we're going to be carrying two rookies this year.

Bench is going to be extremely green with Baylor, the 2 picks from this draft and Walsh. I expect Hauser will be moved. Very concerned that this group just doesn't give them much they can count on other than PP.

That's not a bad thing. This is a gap year for the Cs, especially early in the year. Let's see what Walsh, Baylor, JD, Queta, and the picks from this year can do. Maybe one pops.

[scaryjerry]

Thanks for everything jrue, hate to see you go, couldn?t care less about the money the team will save, best of luck

[celticinorlando]

Shocked this happened so fast. Did not think they would be able to move him at all let alone so easily with that contract. 

Will miss Jrue. But his scoring was way down in Boston. He was fantastic when called on. He is a true winner.

Simons is an upgrade scoring. Can shoot the 3 well. Plays little to no defense. Will be interesting how he fits.

Thank God Brad did not deal with the Clippers. 

Now that this one has been made I guess more moves are coming. I hope Davison is cut loose. Would love to see Walsh traded. He is a bum.

Obviously KP is the next one to watch. Don't think JB is going anywhere.

We need cheap young players to eat up roster spots and you want to move them because they are "bums". We're a second apron team for a reason.

He has been with the team what 3 seasons and has yet to really improve. You think he is a rotational player for the Celtics? I don't.

I like Walsh as a cheerleader.  He seems to work hard and to be a good guy.  But, he struggles.  He just lacks a little fluidity out there; it's like he's thinking about what to do, rather than doing things instinctively.

I get both of your points.  We need cheap roster fodder, but ideally, that roster fodder could play a little bit in a pinch, particularly if we're going to be carrying two rookies this year.

Bench is going to be extremely green with Baylor, the 2 picks from this draft and Walsh. I expect Hauser will be moved. Very concerned that this group just doesn't give them much they can count on other than PP.

That's not a bad thing. This is a gap year for the Cs, especially early in the year. Let's see what Walsh, Baylor, JD, Queta, and the picks from this year can do. Maybe one pops.

Even with this being a gap year for the Cs, I still think they can be a factor in the East. I only see about 4 teams that are better on paper than they are...Cleveland, Knicks, Orlando and Detroit.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

One interesting thing about Simons to consider - He's been playing with a lot of non-shooters during his career.

They didn't have a stretch big between Clingan, Williams, and Ayton.

He plays a lot of minutes with Sharpe or Scoot, both of whom have questionable shots.

Thybulle, Camara, and Grant are all ok, but sometimes shaky shooters as well.

If you put him on a team with other shooters, does the game open up for him as well? Could he still take another step as a volume scorer? Could his efficiency increase?

[aefgogreen]

As others have said, absolutely the right move.  With Jrue's age and contract, I thought we'd have to give up more.

And I know I speak for everyone, when I say how sorry I am to see him go.  I loved what he brought to the team.  He reminds me of DJ - he came here with championship experience and defensive toughness. Wherever he's gone, he adjusts his game to help the team.  No, he won't get his number retired, but he'll be one of those guys that is remembered for being a critical part of a championship - think Paul Silas, Tiny Archibald, or Ray Allen.

[Birdman]

I be shock if Jrue is not traded by blazers in next couple of weeks

[Vermont Green]

One consideration in all of this is that that players traded at the deadline, their salaries don't count against the cap/tax/aprons.  So Simons could be traded at the deadline.  There is no rush.

If Simons becomes a salary dump at the deadline, we will have to see what that brings back and how much it saves.  You never know how a player is going to be until you get him on your team.  I think there is some ability there.

[slamtheking]

On consideration in all of this is that that players traded at the deadline, their salaries don't count against the cap/tax/aprons.  So Simons could be traded at the deadline.  There is no rush.

If Simons becomes a salary dump at the deadline, we will have to see what that brings back and how much it saves.  You never know how a player is going to be until you get him on your team.  I think there is some ability there.

that is a good point but to be honest, I suspect he's gone before the start of the season for someone else on a cheaper deal and possibly some picks -- probably more second rounders which seems to be Brad's addiction.

[Roy H.]

I be shock if Jrue is not traded by blazers in next couple of weeks

I would be shocked if he is.

I think they paid positive value for him and took on substantial salary, suggesting to me that they want him on the team.  Apparently there's a lot of mutual admiration between Jrue and Billups.  The Blazers are adding a tremendous teammate who plays the game the right way. 

[tonydelk]

This is a very interesting trade on multiple fronts.  One, we didn't see this coming.  A poster in one of the other discussions brought this up.  With the Celtics they have their FO on lockdown and rumors rarely get out.

This is the first step in multiple moves.  They got off Jrue's last two years for a younger expiring contract that is actually 5m cheaper.  This contract is much easier to move.  There are a lot of teams that need scoring and shooting.  Would Simons be a fit in SAS?  How about Brooklyn?  He could be the best player they can get with their cap space.  How about Dallas for PJ.  Both expiring contracts and a 3rd team would probably need involved.  Lots of options.  If they keep Simons I expect him to lead the bench.  He's a better fit as a 6th man IMO. 

[celticinorlando]

Report this morning says Portland is keeping Jrue. Not looking to move him.

Brett Siegel
@BrettSiegelNBA
?
32m
Since last night?s original report, I have since been informed from multiple sources that the Blazers won?t actively seek a new destination for Holiday and are wanting to keep him.

Still, teams have interest in the defensive-minded guard.

POR traded for Holiday to keep him.

[Vermont Green]

Wow, did not see this one coming.  The question is why does Portland want Holiday?  I think the reason is that Holiday has more value than Simons.  Not necessarily to Portland, but Holiday has more trade value than Simons overall.  The Celtics were so hamstrung due to the second apron that it was hard for them to trade Holiday.  Portland will have a lot more flexibility to make something work.  We'll see.

As to Simons, maybe for the Celtics, it is easier to move an expiring contract for something.  I don't know.  I have been saying all along that I think BOS is targeting 2026-27 to get back on track for salaries.  Or maybe there is a team that will be more willing to take on Simons in a salary dump trade.

I think this will work out for Portland.  I expect them to flip Holiday for some decent value.  More value than they could have gotten in a straight trade for Simons.  For BOS, this seems more about 2026 than 2025.

That's not been the rumors seen. Simons doesn't have Bane value, but he's been wanted by a number of teams.

The Blazers just wanted a championship vet to go with their young guys, not more picks and low-level role players like the Grizzles got.

Far be it for me to try and rationalize what POR is doing with their recent trades but I don't see how Holiday fits their timeline.  I don't doubt that Holiday can assume more of a lead role on a team like POR, it just seems he would have much more value on a team like GSW (for example) who have a veteran team with a rapidly closing window.  You may well be right regarding what POR's thinking actually is, but if it were me, I would be looking to flip him to another team.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Simons has been a hot name around the league for years. A very quick google search has "rumors" about him dating back multiple years from teams like the Spurs, Mavs, Pelicans, Hawks, Magic, Knicks, Bulls, and more.

If the Cs want to flip him, they should be able to.

I'm talking myself into the idea that this guy has been in a bad situation for years now and could really take a step forward as an all-star in the right situation.

Problem is, part of that right situation is having a stretch 5 that can open the court for him. Seems like we'd have to trade Zinger now if we kept him.

OR - the other option is trading Derrick White. White and Simons are somewhat redundant offensively, but they definitely could play together as well.

[liam]

Thanks Jrue for being the missing piece...

[Neurotic Guy]

Like everyone, I love Jrue.  Glad he spent a couple years here and got a ring for himself and the Cs.

Re: Simons - I want to hear more about his defensive insufficiency.  Effort? Bad instincts? Size?  Speed/quickness?  Any thoughts about the potential to improve on that side of the ball if he remains a Celtic?