NBA Rumors: Why Celtics Didn’t Receive Draft Picks In Altered Jrue Holiday Deal

The Boston Celtics agreed to trade Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal finalized Monday.

The trade, however, did include a twist from the previously reported agreement, which initially surfaced June 23 but could not become official until July 6. And it did not benefit the Celtics.

The Trail Blazers did not have to trade two of their second-round picks to the Celtics. It was instead reduced to a player-for-player swap with Anfernee Simons landing in Boston and Holiday headed to Portland.

According to a report from The Oregonian’s Aaron Fentress on Monday, the altered package was due to a recent review of Holiday’s medicals.

“According to the source, a recent review of Holiday’s medicals revealed nothing substantial enough to warrant the trade being negated. However, there was enough there to lead the Blazers to alter the terms of the deal slightly,” Fentress wrote.

Holiday reportedly is considered to be healthy and is expected to take part in training camp. Fentress did not report any additional details regarding Holiday’s health.

Holiday played 62 games during the 2024-25 campaign and dealt with multiple injuries including an injury to his right pinkie finger as well as a hamstring strain. The hamstring strain sidelined the 35-year-old Holiday for three games in the first round of the NBA playoffs.