The Boston Celtics are exploring trade options involving Jrue Holiday as they aim to reduce their salary commitments and get below the NBA’s second luxury tax apron this offseason. Holiday, who has three years left on his contract with approximately $104 million owed, is seen as a leading candidate for a trade alongside Kristaps Porzingis and Sam Hauser.
Trade Interest Centered on Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers
Among potential trade partners, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers have emerged as the most likely teams to acquire Jrue Holiday, according to insights shared by ESPN NBA front office insider and former Brooklyn Nets general manager Bobby Marks. This assessment surfaced during a recent discussion on NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’season, where Celtics insider Chris Forsberg asked Marks about possible trade scenarios and the potential need for the Celtics to include a draft pick as an incentive.
“I don’t think a pick. Both of the two teams you mentioned, Chris, are interesting to me with Dallas and the Clips,”
Marks explained.
“They’re interesting to me because they have two players who have player options with Kyrie Irving (Mavericks) and James Harden with the Clippers. What happens with both those players I think will play a significant role as far as what the flexibility that the Clips will have and Dallas will have.”
“The goal in Dallas is, if you can try to lower that $43 million Irving option, and now that gives you operational power to maybe aggregate contracts, and the same with the Clips with Harden at $36-$37 million. So those would probably be the two teams that I would probably circle as far as if there is a Jrue potential deal to be. I still think Jrue’s a heck of a player, and I don’t think you have to attach a pick to his contract.”
— Bobby Marks, NBA front office insider
Other Trade Possibilities and Challenges
While the Sacramento Kings have also been mentioned in trade discussions, their current roster situation makes a plausible deal with the Celtics more complicated. The focus remains primarily on Dallas and Los Angeles due to their contractual flexibility linked to Irving and Harden’s player options.
Jrue Holiday’s Recent Performance and Roster Implications
Holiday played an important role in the Celtics’ 2024 championship run, but his on-court production declined during the following season. His scoring average fell to 11.1 points per game, the lowest since his rookie year in 2009-10, and his three-point shooting dropped to 35.3 percent, the lowest since the 2018-19 season.
Boston’s backcourt is already deep with guard talent like Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard, which creates a stronger incentive to consider trading Holiday. This move could help the Celtics reinforce their frontcourt, especially with key big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet approaching free agency.
Implications for the Celtics’ Future Roster Moves
The Celtics face pressures to balance maintaining a competitive roster with managing salary limits. Trading Jrue Holiday could free up significant cap space to pursue frontcourt reinforcements that are vital given potential departures. The involvement of teams like Dallas and the Clippers will hinge on the outcomes of Irving’s and Harden’s contract decisions, which will shape their ability to absorb Holiday’s salary.
This strategic move highlights the nuances of roster-building in a financially restrictive NBA environment, and the Celtics’ offseason decisions will be closely watched by fans and analysts as they try to navigate a competitive Eastern Conference landscape.