As the offseason for the NBA officially kicks off, the Boston Celtics will have to deal with some hard decisions for their roster and salary cap. The biggest question is whether they intend to trade Jrue Holiday. The 34-year-old guard is a winner and integral part of the Celtics’ 2024 title. But if Boston feels the pinch of those luxury tax penalties, it may look to trade him rather than pay. Newer reports are the Sacramento Kings are said to be interested in trading for Holiday as they want him to be the veteran leader in their guard rotation.
Why Are the Kings Interested in Jrue Holiday?
The Sacramento Kings are in the market for a steady point guard after parting with De’Aaron Fox during the year. They are an emerging team in the Western Conference, and they want to build on the progress they’ve made recently. Jrue Holiday could be an ideal one. He is a two-time All-Star, five-time All-Defensive team selection and has won an NBA championship (2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks, 2024 with the Boston Celtics). His defense, leadership and experience in intense playoff environments are invaluable.
During the 2023–24 season, Holiday had averages of 12.5 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Though he was slightly less productive on the scoresheet, he contributed on the defensive side of things and in crucial meta-counts. For a team like Sacramento, that needs veteran guidance and defensive help, Holiday could help them become a top-tier playoff team.
Why Might the Celtics Trade Jrue Holiday?
Boston cannot stand this strain on its finances much longer. They are projected to shell out approximately $227.7 million in player salaries next season, and an estimated $238.1 million toward the luxury tax — a league record. This would make the Celtics the most expensive lineup in NBA history. The team president, Brad Stevens, might look to cut costs by trading older, higher-paid players, with star Jayson Tatum likely to miss most of or all of next season with an injury.
In 2024, Holiday signed a four-year, $135 million contract extension. He will earn more in each of the next three years, from $30 million in 2024–25 to $37.2 million in 2027–28. Given that he will be 35 next season, trading him now could give the Celtics an opportunity to acquire younger players or future draft picks while also reducing their salary burden.
Who Could Replace Holiday in Boston?
The Celtics already have a Plan B if Jrue Holiday is traded. Derrick White is a good, versatile guard who was a key contributor to the 2024 title team. Younger guard Payton Pritchard also improved last season. Together, the Celtics would all be fine without Holiday and still have meaningful roles with the team — especially if, in a trade for Holiday, they received quality role players in return.
What Would the Value of a Celtics-Kings Trade Be?
No official trade offer has been reported, but here is what that deal might look like:
- Boston Celtics get: two or more young players and a future first round pick.
- New Orleans Pelicans receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Harrison Barnes. Sacramento Kings receive: Jrue Holiday.
For the deal to work, the Kings will likely need to send matching salaries out to conform to NBA trade rules. Pieces one could include might be players like Davion Mitchell, Kevin Huerter, or Harrison Barnes.” And the Celtics could also insist on draft picks to make the deal complete.
That kind of trade would make sense for both sides. Boston trims its luxury tax bill and builds for the future. Sacramento gets a playoff-tested leader that could help this team make a deep run in the postseason.
Would Holiday Fit Well With the Kings?
Yes, very well. The Kings need a playmaker who can quarterback the offense, play physical defense and hold players accountable (among other things), and Holiday excels at each of those things. With young stars such as Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis already on the roster, securing Holiday would provide the Kings with a nice mixture of youth and experience.
Holiday doesn’t have to be the top scorer. He’s a smart basketball player who does the right things with the ball and locks up opposing guards. He’s been a big part of championship teams and can assist the Kings taking the next step to contention with the West.
Final Thoughts: A Trade That Makes Sense for Both Teams
The NBA offseason is full of surprises but the thought of Jrue Holiday heading to the Kings makes a lot of sense. Location: BostonBoston needs to shed some salary and may not want to keep older vets around long term. Sacramento is in win-now mode and requires a steady point guard.
Whether a deal comes together won’t be known until the particulars — players going one way, picks the other — and the sentiment on both ends is clear. But for now, all indications are that Jrue Holiday’s name will remain in trade talks, particularly with teams such as the Kings pushing to reach the postseason.
