Celtics Will No Longer Receive NBA Draft Picks From Trail Blazers in Jrue Holiday, Anfernee Simons Trade

In a surprising turn of events, the Boston Celtics will no longer acquire NBA draft picks from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday, Anfernee Simons trade, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.

The Trail Blazers saw some things in Holiday’s physical that gave them pause.

“According to multiple league sources, concerns were raised because of ‘new findings’ during Jrue Holiday’s medical examinations,” Himmelsbach wrote. “Sources said they were not substantial enough for the deal to be nullified, but they did give the Trail Blazers pause.

“So, Boston agreed to move forward with the deal without the 2030 and 2031 second-round picks that Portland originally agreed to send to Boston. Sources declined to reveal specifics of Holiday’s situation but stressed that the point guard was continuing his normal offseason training regimen without restriction. He is expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp, too.”

Holiday will make $32.4 million next season, while Simons will make $27.7 million in the final year of his contract. 

The Celtics traded Holiday to the Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks this offseason to save money. 

Boston would have had the most expensive roster in the league next season if no changes were made.

Holiday, who helped the Celtics win the 2024 championship against the Dallas Mavericks in five games, averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 62 games for Boston last season. The two-time All-Star and two-time champion shot 44.3% from the field, 35.3% from beyond the arc and 90.9% from the free-throw line. 

Simons, who could be traded by the Celtics, averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season for Portland in 70 games. The 26-year-old scoring guard shot 42.6% overall, 36.3% from 3 and 90.2% from the foul line. 

Holiday has played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics, while Boston will be just the second team for Simons.

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