NBA cap expert predicts Jrue Holiday will head to West

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

NBA cap expert predicts Jrue Holiday's next move will take him West

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 6:42 PM ET

As the Boston Celtics approach the offseason, Brad Stevens is widely expected to make some changes to the rotation. Boston is facing a mammoth luxury-tax bill next season, which is projected to be in the region of $500 million.

Jrue Holiday is among the most logical trade candidates on Boston's roster. He has three years remaining on his four-year, $134 million contract. Holiday is also a highly respected player within the NBA, due to his elite defense and reliable offensive skill set.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, who was speaking via a recent episode of NBC Sports Boston's "Celtics Talk" podcast, the L.A. Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are potential landing spots for Holiday.

“I think both teams you mentioned are interesting to me with Dallas and the Clips,” Marks said. “They’re interesting to me because they have two players who have player options with Kyrie Irving and James Harden. What happens with both those players, I think, will play a significant role as far as the flexibility that the Clips will have and Dallas will have."

Holiday would be a substantial addition to any contending team. His versatility and wide-ranging impact can be a swing factor on any night. He's already been the missing piece on two separate championship rosters. Adding him to the Mavericks or Clippers could put each team into a new stratosphere.

The Celtics rewarded Holiday with his current contract after he helped lead them to a championship. However, that same contract could shorten his tenure with the franchise. Celtics fans will undoubtedly hope they can get a fair return for one of the team's best players.

However, given Boston's need to retool the current roster and get under the second apron, teams can play hardball. We could very well see the Celtics attach a draft asset to facilitate a Holiday deal.

Whatever happens, Holiday's tenure with the Celtics has been a resounding success. If he's traded this summer, another team will be getting a high-level winner, capable of taking a roster to the next level.

In truth, the Celtics should fight to keep Holiday around, but with such a lofty payroll hanging over their heads, that could be a tall task, even for a shrewd operator like Stevens.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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