Celtics Hall of Famer Questions Boston’s Offseason Moves

Holiday averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season. Meanwhile, Simons averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists. 

Solely based on statistics, Simons is the better scoring option for the Celtics. But Garnett explained how the loss of Holiday will impact the team’s culture, which is crucial for a championship team. 

“People on the outside are looking like ‘That’s a good one, oh he (Simons) averaged 20, scoring punch,' but they don’t understand the little intangibles, the locker room,” Garnett said. “The whole DNA of the team shifts a little bit when somebody on the outside comes to your club and thinks they can do the same things they did over there over here.”

The Celtics traded Holiday and Porzingis to shed some payroll. Boston could decide to trade Simons, who has a contract that expires after next season before the 2025-26 season even begins to relieve more of the salary.

Garnett said he understands next season is likely a gap year for the Celtics with Jayson Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. 

“That ain’t how this works. That ain’t the impact that we need over here. But, you know, for a small patchwork to get through what everyone says is a gap year … it’s cool for one year and then you shed cost and everything,” Garnett said.

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White have also garnered interest in the trade market. However, the Celtics seem uninterested in trading them unless they get a lucrative offer. 

The Celtics have some decisions to make but several former players have indicated the importance of avoiding trading their core players.

More news: Celtics' Al Horford Emerging as Serious Option for Rival Lakers in Free Agency

For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.