Celtics Fans Split on Proposal to Trade Jrue Holiday for a Star Big: Bold or Reckless?

The Boston Celtics are off to another strong start this season, following their NBA title win last year. With a well-established core, they have seamlessly picked up right where they left off, remaining one of the top teams in the league. The Celtics’ future looks bright with star players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but as the trade deadline approaches, many are wondering if Boston might consider shaking things up, even if just slightly.

However, with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) restrictions in place, the Celtics have limited flexibility to make significant moves. In all likelihood, they will stick with their current roster and make only minor adjustments. But what if the Celtics were to explore a blockbuster trade? The hypothetical trade scenario below explores what a major shakeup could look like—one that would involve moving point guard Jrue Holiday, while adding a promising young center and bolstering the wing depth.

The Trade Scenario

In this potential deal, the Celtics would trade Jrue Holiday to the Los Angeles Clippers, while also sending John Collins to Los Angeles. In exchange, Boston would receive Walker Kessler, the promising young center from the Utah Jazz, along with veteran wing Norman Powell. The Jazz, meanwhile, would facilitate the deal by receiving a mix of young assets and draft picks to help fuel their rebuild.

Here’s how the trade would break down:

Clippers receive:

• Jrue Holiday
• John Collins

Jazz receive:

• P.J. Tucker
• Derrick Jones Jr.
• Terance Mann
• 2025 first-round draft pick from the Celtics
• 2026 first-round pick swap from the Celtics
• 2030 first-round pick from the Clippers
• 2026 second-round pick swap from the Celtics
• 2026 second-round pick from the Clippers
• 2031 second-round pick from the Clippers

Celtics receive:

• Walker Kessler
• Norman Powell

What Does This Trade Mean for the Teams Involved?

Los Angeles Clippers:

For the Clippers, this move is all about maximizing the current window with stars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. The Clippers would gain a true point guard in Jrue Holiday, one of the league’s top defenders and floor generals. Alongside Harden, Holiday could help run the offense while adding defensive stability.

John Collins, known for his athleticism and scoring ability, would provide the Clippers with additional size and depth in the frontcourt, addressing some of their issues in the paint. The Clippers would become even more dangerous in a stacked Western Conference, with a deeper roster and more veteran presence.

Utah Jazz:

The Jazz are clearly in a rebuilding phase, and this trade is designed to help them stockpile assets. They would acquire an impressive haul for Collins and Tucker, with the focus on the 2030 first-round pick from the Clippers. Alongside multiple draft picks, Utah could add significant pieces to continue their growth. With this deal, they can shed Collins’ contract and focus on future assets while building for a stronger foundation.

Boston Celtics:

For the Celtics, moving on from Jrue Holiday would be a tough decision, given his all-around impact on the floor. But the trade would offer some distinct advantages in the long run. First and foremost, moving off Holiday’s $30 million contract would provide Boston with much-needed financial flexibility, especially given their CBA restrictions.

Adding Walker Kessler, an emerging star at center, would give the Celtics some much-needed insurance in the frontcourt—particularly with Kristaps Porzingis, who has struggled to stay on the floor consistently. Kessler, a young center with both pass-rushing and defensive potential, could emerge as a future building block for Boston’s already stacked roster.

Norman Powell, a seasoned scorer, would offer a significant boost to the Celtics’ bench. Powell is a proven asset as a floor-spacing wing who can put up points in bunches, which could take some pressure off the starting unit and add depth to Boston’s scoring.

While losing Holiday would weaken Boston’s backcourt, moving him could help clear the path for Payton Pritchard to step into a larger role as he continues to develop as a key contributor. This would also offer more rotation flexibility moving forward, especially given the Celtics’ deep and talented roster.

Why This Trade Likely Won’t Happen

While this trade scenario makes sense on paper for all parties involved, the reality of the situation is that it’s highly unlikely to happen. The Celtics are currently a championship-contending team and losing a player like Jrue Holiday could disrupt their chemistry. Holiday’s leadership, defense, and offensive playmaking have been crucial to Boston’s success.

Additionally, the Celtics have been hitting their stride with their current lineup, and any move would require careful consideration of the long-term ramifications. The financial flexibility gained from this deal, while attractive, may not outweigh the potential risks associated with moving off a key piece of their championship-contending roster.

In the end, this hypothetical trade is an interesting exercise in how the Celtics might maneuver within the confines of the CBA restrictions, but it’s not a move that’s likely to materialize in reality.

Conclusion

The Celtics are in a great position this season, and barring any unforeseen injuries or drastic changes, they’re unlikely to make a significant trade before the deadline. However, if Boston were to entertain moving Jrue Holiday for a player like Walker Kessler and adding depth on the wing, it would undoubtedly give them more flexibility for the future.

For now, Celtics fans can rest easy knowing their team is well-positioned for a deep playoff run, but if a big move does come, it’ll need to be the right one to maintain their championship aspirations.