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

[Who]

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?

Size is the issue. Short & weak. 6-3. Lacks muscle. Gets overpowered easily. Switches are a killer for him.

He needs to get stronger.

[Ilikesports17]

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?

From what I read efforts not really the issue

Don?t see any real chance he suddenly figures it out after 6 years

[JBcat]

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.

I think Simons surrounded by excellent defensive players like White and Brown could do wonders for him, and you can hide him a bit defensively which you couldn?t do in Portland. Throughout the history of the league many young players improve defensively as they age too. Even if he just becomes passable on the defensive side that?s a big gain. He also won?t have the pressure of being the number 1 option and his efficiency could take a leap up as well. Simons has been wanting to go to a contending team, he will have a better chance now entering his prime to prove himself more.

[tonydelk]

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.

I think Simons surrounded by excellent defensive players like White and Brown could do wonders for him, and you can hide him a bit defensively which you couldn?t do in Portland. Throughout the history of the league many young players improve defensively as they age too. Even if he just becomes passable on the defensive side that?s a big gain. He also won?t have the pressure of being the number 1 option and his efficiency could take a leap up as well. Simons has been wanting to go to a contending team, he will have a better chance now entering his prime to prove himself more.

I believe I read that from the all star break to the end of the season Portland had the 5th best Defense in the NBA.  Why would Simons all of the sudden be able to be hidden more here or play better D here then in Portland?  Simon's is an offensive player.  I don't see his Defense improving at all and he will IMO always be the liability.  If you trade Zinger then the Cs won't have anyone protecting the hoop when Simon's gets beat.  It's why I feel that Simon's will be re routed for PF/C depth.  I think at the end of the day the Jrue Holiday deal will turn into 2-4 total deals from now until the All-Star break to get under the 2nd apron before the end of next season.

[Kuberski33]

The recent Shams tweet makes me think the C's will also trade both Hauser AND Porzingis

Who knows at this point?   Brad seems to pull rabbits out of his hat over and over again.

If trading Sam and KP can get us a really good starting big that is more reliable than KP and also has a high ceiling, please make it happen.

The tell tale quote from Brad came in his end of season press conference when he commented on how the refs allowed a lot more physical play than he expected. That quote alone tells me they're moving both Porzingis and Hauser as neither one likes a physical game.

I would be shocked if either is still with the Celtics on opening night.

[RodyTur10]

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.

Well possibly that's true. But if I was a GM that would be exactly what I would be saying if I was looking to increase his trading value 

[RodyTur10]

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?

Size is the issue. Short & weak. 6-3. Lacks muscle. Gets overpowered easily. Switches are a killer for him.

He needs to get stronger.

And longer apparently 

[boscel33]

I'm not convinced Simons isn't part of another move.  That expiring deal is valuable, like KP's.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I understand it, but I hate to see Jrue gone. He was a guy I'd wanted on the Cs for quite a while, and he was a big addition when he finally got here.

[Donoghus]

I understand it, but I hate to see Jrue gone. He was a guy I'd wanted on the Cs for quite a while, and he was a big addition when he finally got here.

Same.

I knew this was coming but it guts me that Holiday is gone.  Really wish we had more than two year with him.  A pro's pro and a standup guy.   Was a joy to see him in Celtic green. 

[Roy H.]

I understand it, but I hate to see Jrue gone. He was a guy I'd wanted on the Cs for quite a while, and he was a big addition when he finally got here.

Same.  He was one of my all-time favorite non-Celtics binkies.  I considered him pretty much the perfect PG for a contending team.  I always wanted him here, but never thought it would happen.

I love the dude.  Every professional athlete should model themself after Jrue.  And, he and White made up my favorite Celtics backcourt since Danny and DJ.

I get it, because even billionaires have budgets.  But, I wish it wasn't true.

Best of luck to him and his family. 

[celticinorlando]

Agree it sucks losing Jrue. The Tatum injury makes is more understandable.

[Kuberski33]

I thought Jrue (along with White) was what got this team over the top because of their ablity to defend out beyond the arc. So losing him is less ideal. However...I think he was starting to show his age last season. He had some games where he was a total non-factor. And I think moving forward his minutes will need to be managed - similar to what was done with Al.

[Phantom255x]

It sucks losing Jrue for sure but I won't lie he was just not good last year. Yeah I know he was dealing with the finger injury (mallet finger) and dealt with hamstring issues in the postseason. But he seemed to take a step back defensively and just wasn't doing enough on the other end either. Some of the corner 3s or open 3s that'd be automatic in 2024 just weren't for him last year.

[Neurotic Guy]

Thought this was a pretty good piece on Simmons.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_NQVcUydD0