The Boston Celtics traded Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons and two second-round draft picks in a stunning move, which made it clear that Brad Stevens wants established talent to stay competitive in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Simons is 26 years old and has averaged over 19 points per game for three straight years. The 6’3 guard is a bucket that will help Boston immediately and give them a longer contention runway.
The Celtics are just getting started. With Jayson Tatum set to miss the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his Achilles, the franchise wants to trim payroll and get under the second apron. They saved $4.7 million in this deal and got a player who is nine years younger than Holiday. Boston wants to contend for the championship in 2027 when Tatum returns. Simons will be in his prime and eager to help.
Brad Stevens architected the Celtics' 2024 championship roster and is trying to do it again. This trade is the start of a master plan. Boston will trim more payroll while getting younger and gearing up to have an elite roster in the fall of 2026.
Brad Stevens is not giving away talent to dodge 2nd apron
Simons was a surprise acquisition, but he is an established NBA contributor. He averaged 20.7 points, 4.7 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 steals in 34.0 minutes per game over the last three seasons combined. The 26-year-old is a career 38.1 percent 3-point shooter who hands out buckets. He won’t match Holiday’s defense, but Boston received someone capable of taking on a larger offensive load with Tatum out.
Stevens will likely dump Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Sam Hauser after this trade. For KP’s expiring contract, the Celtics will look to get back a capable role player. Trading Hauser and letting the other two big men walk in free agency should get Boston under the second apron and still gives them a strong core to contend with.
Expect the Cs to be back in the playoffs with Jaylen Brown leading their charge next season. They want to be serious title contenders when Tatum returns. Simons fits the age timeline and is eager to win after missing the playoffs for four straight years.
Stevens made the trades for KP, Holiday, and Derrick White to build their last championship roster around Tatum and Brown. This is just the next move in his plan. The moves don’t always work, but Stevens is never shy about making a bold one. He did it again here. Celtics fans should trust that it was another wise trade.
The Boston Celtics are clearly retooling their roster this summer. Jayson Tatum remains their centerpiece. Expect Brad Stevens to have an elite roster around him when he returns to the floor. This was just the first move of the chess game. Fans should be excited for an eventful offseason. More trades are coming soon, so stay tuned and trust the master plan will lead the Cs back to greatness.