Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Face Tough Offseason Decision Regarding Jrue Holiday
Even if the Boston Celtics successfully defend their NBA championship this season, they’ll still face difficult roster decisions heading into the 2025-26 campaign. Financial constraints and roster depth could force the front office to consider moving a key veteran, and a potential trade with the Detroit Pistons could shake up the fanbase.
Could Jrue Holiday Be on the Move?
According to Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, the Celtics may entertain the idea of trading Jrue Holiday this summer, despite his instrumental role in their championship run.
“Trading Jrue Holiday isn’t necessarily what the Boston Celtics will want to do, but with Jayson Tatum’s massive $314 million extension kicking in next year and the emergence of backup point guard Payton Pritchard this season, moving the 34-year-old now while he still has value makes sense,” Swartz wrote on Monday.
“Holiday will turn 35 in June and is having arguably his worst season since his rookie year in 2009-10. He’s no longer an elite defender and is owed $104.4 million over the next three seasons.”
Swartz proposed a trade that would send Holiday to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Tobias Harris, Marcus Sasser, and a 2025 second-round pick from the Toronto Raptors. While Harris and Sasser aren’t the type of assets to drastically change Boston’s championship odds, their salaries and skill sets could help balance the Celtics’ roster as they navigate cap concerns.
Holiday’s Impact and Potential Departure
Holiday was a crucial part of Boston’s 2023-24 title run, providing elite defense, veteran leadership, and timely shot-making. In 19 postseason games, he averaged 13.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting an efficient 50.3% from the field and 40.2% from three-point range.
However, this season has shown signs of a slight decline in his game. While still an effective player, Holiday’s defensive dominance has waned, and at 35, the Celtics may need to weigh whether they can afford to carry his long-term contract. With Tatum’s record-breaking extension set to take effect and Payton Pritchard proving to be a viable contributor, moving Holiday could be a proactive decision.
Would This Trade Benefit the Celtics?
On paper, the proposed deal makes financial sense. Harris would be a useful rotation player on an expiring contract, giving the Celtics flexibility heading into 2026. Meanwhile, Sasser, 24, could provide fresh energy in the backcourt while Boston picks up a valuable second-round pick in the process.
While losing Holiday would sting, the Celtics are built around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. With their superstar duo in place, Boston wouldn’t necessarily need Harris or Sasser to be game-changers—they’d just need them to fill their roles effectively while allowing the Celtics to remain a top-tier Eastern Conference contender.
Celtics Fans Won’t Be Happy
Boston fans won’t take lightly to the idea of trading a beloved veteran like Holiday, especially if the team is coming off another Finals run. But as the NBA has shown time and time again, roster moves are often dictated by financial realities rather than pure sentimentality.
If the Celtics decide to pull the trigger on a trade, it will be a calculated move designed to maximize their championship window in the long term. Whether or not that means parting with Jrue Holiday remains to be seen—but Boston’s front office has some tough calls to make in the months ahead.
