by In a perfect world, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday would still be playing for the Celtics in 2025–2026.
With Holiday’s defensive prowess and Porzingi’s diversified skill set having a significant impact on a redesigned squad, Boston could still be a formidable opponent in a reduced Eastern Conference this autumn, even though Jayson Tatum is probably out for the entire season recovering from a damaged Achilles tendon.
Rather, Brad Stevens and the Celtics decided earlier this month to trade away both Holiday and Porzingis in separate deals, meaning that two lineup mainstays who were instrumental in Boston’s 18th championship will be playing elsewhere.
The return from their trades with the Hawks and Trail Blazers was not a major factor in Stevens’ decision to cut ties with two important players during Boston’s most recent contention window, nor was it a calculated move to deny Boston their most recent chance to compete with Tatum recovering.
Instead, the Celtics had been expecting this unpleasant offseason for years due to impending luxury tax fines and regulations that prevented clubs from operating above the second apron of the league’s financial standards, which compelled Stevens to make significant contract cuts.
Stevens explained to reporters Tuesday the reasons behind the Holiday and Porzingis moves, saying, “I mean, the second apron is why those trades happen.” Those, in my opinion, are very obvious, and there are actual basketball consequences for them. We’ve all discussed that.
We were lucky, though, because we liked the guys we were reunited with. And I believe that’s among the things we’re looking forward to.
Moving on from Holiday and Porzingis will cost Boston in the long run, even if the Celtics had to shed that second apron to reduce roster flexibility and ease a luxury-tax burden that initially had Boston shouldering nearly $300 million in penalties next season (on top of a projected $233 million payroll).
“If he didn’t already have it, I believe that Jrue Holiday cemented his candidacy for the Hall of Fame here,” Stevens remarked. And from a distance, we’ll be watching, cheering, and following him. He is, however, the best individual you could ever have in your building and on your team.
KP, on the other hand, has battled some health issues over the past two years, but when he did play, he was fantastic, and we believe he will be fantastic for Atlanta this season. Therefore, once more, those are difficult transactions to make. Those phone calls are difficult. Those men have obviously been in the league for a long time. They were aware of the CBA and had previously been informed that they had a high chance of being involved in a relocation. However, being [traded] still presents challenges. We are grateful for them and shall miss them.
The new CBA and the financial restrictions are difficult for Stevens and other NBA team personnel to navigate, but Stevens added that players and agents are also aware of these obstacles, which could result in many more key players having short tenures with teams as trades become the simplest way to manipulate a roster.
Stevens stated that calling Porzinigs and Holiday regarding the transactions is never simple. Well, Porzingis was asleep, and I was asleep when he awoke. However, I believe he was fine because he was aware that he was most likely going to be traded. However, we did speak. A few weeks prior, I had spoken to both of those individuals and just told them, “Listen, there’s a chance that you’re back, but there’s also a high chance that you’re not.”
It was crucial for us to get out of the penalty box in a number of ways because you can feel those, and those are real things. The agents have also done a wonderful job of grasping the difficulties posed by the new CBA and the second phase.
Since 2023, Conor Ryan has worked as a staff writer for Boston.com, covering the Boston Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
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