NBA Rumors: These Teams Interested In Jrue Holiday Before Celtics-Blazers Deal

Jrue Holiday is headed to the Trail Blazers, but not because Portland represented the only option for the Boston Celtics.

Boston dealt Holiday to Portland and received Anfernee Simmons and two second-round picks, as first reported by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania late Monday night. It represents a strong return for the 35-year-old guard, who has three years and $104.4 million remaining on his four-year, $134.4 million deal.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens opted for the Trail Blazers’ package despite the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks also showing interest in Holiday, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. Fischer indicated those two were joined by “others.”

While it hasn’t been reported what the Kings or Mavericks offered for Holiday, chances are the cap-strapped Green are happy with the deal they made.

Simmons, who is set to play on an expiring contract next season, averaged 19.3 points per game and shot 36.3% from long range during the 2024-25 campaign.