By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
Jrue Holiday is headed back to the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade with the Boston Celtics that sends Anfernee Simons and two second-round draft picks to Boston, according to Shams Charania.
Holiday, who played a crucial role in Boston’s 2024 title run averaging 13.2 points per game on 50-40-90 shooting splits, also earned All-Defensive honors and shot a career-high 42.9% from three last season.
Now entering his 17th NBA season, Holiday will bring veteran leadership and strong defense to Portland’s young core.
In exchange, the Celtics acquire Simons, a 26-year-old guard known for his shooting volume, averaging nearly nine three-point attempts per game over the past three seasons, fitting well into Boston’s perimeter-heavy offense.
Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford has agreed to a three-year, nearly $60 million contract extension through 2028-29, also according to ESPN’s NBA insider.
Gafford averaged solid numbers last season and boasts the NBA’s best career field goal percentage since 2019-20 at 71%, with strong defensive metrics ranking in the top 10 for field goal percentage allowed as a contesting defender.
Both moves highlight active offseason reshaping as teams build toward the next NBA season.