Clippers' interest in two-time NBA champion is reportedly 'overstated'

Following Jayson Tatum's Achilles tendon injury, the Boston Celtics are expected to make some changes to their current roster. Brad Stevens must find a way of getting Boston under the second luxury tax apron.

Trading Jrue Holiday is one of the easier paths forward for the Celtics. The veteran guard has three years remaining on his current $134 million deal. He is scheduled to earn $32.4 million next season. 

Despite Holiday's expensive contract, he's still seen as a valuable commodity around the NBA. After all, he's proven to be the missing piece on two separate championship teams in recent years. It's for that reason he's expected to land with a contending team this summer.

In a May 28 report from Brian Robb of Masslive.com, the LA Clippers were cited as a potential landing spot for Holiday. The veteran guard is a Los Angeles native, which, of course, made the connection feel more logical.

“Holiday is expected to be pursued by several teams on the trade market, and a league source tells MassLive that the Los Angeles Clippers are one team expected to show interest in the 34-year-old guard this offseason,” Robb reported.

However, according to a report via Matt Moore on Monday in his Hardwood Paroxysm newsletter, the Clippers' interest in Holiday has been 'overstated.' 

“Law Murray recently said on a podcast that the Clippers' interest in Holiday was overstated; I've heard the same," Moore wrote. "They are looking for bigger fish to fry, though I think a deal ultimately is unlikely."

The Clippers are likely holding out for Kevin Durant. However, there's no guarantee the franchise can piece together an enticing trade package for the future Hall of Famer. 

Holiday, on the other hand, is potentially attainable for Ty Lue's team. He would anchor the perimeter defense while also taking some pressure off of James Harden's shoulders.

Holiday isn't the only member of Boston's roster who could be available via trade. If Stevens can duck the luxury tax without trading Holiday, the veteran guard may not be on the trade block for long. As such, the Clippers may want to circle back to the two-time champion sooner rather than later. Otherwise, the Clippers could miss out on two high-level talents this summer, and that would seriously hurt their chances of winning a championship next season.