The Portland Trail Blazers completed their trade for Jrue Holiday, but the final details delivered an unexpected twist.
While Anfernee Simons is headed to the Boston Celtics as planned, the Celtics no longer will receive the draft picks initially included in the deal.
“The Celtics will not receive any second-round picks as part of the Jrue Holiday trade with the Trail Blazers after ‘new findings’ came up during Holiday’s medical examinations,” according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, via Savage Sports.
The Celtics will not receive any second-round picks as part of the Jrue Holiday trade with the Trail Blazers after “new findings” came up during Holiday’s medical examinations.
Per: @AdamHimmelsbach
— Savage (@SavageSports_) July 7, 2025
Holiday will play his 17th NBA season in the 2025-26 campaign. Last season with the Celtics, he averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
The initial reaction to Portland trading Simons for a player nine years older was mixed, especially with draft capital involved.
The revised terms improve the optics for Portland, which now will not have to give up any picks.
Questions will linger about acquiring a player with injury concerns. Holiday dealt with a right hamstring strain during the 2025 NBA Playoffs after suffering a mallet finger injury during the regular season.
The exact reasoning behind Portland’s push to revise the trade terms remains unclear. However, the injury concerns appear valid.
All eyes will be on how this deal ultimately works out for both franchises moving forward.