As the Boston Celtics look to shed salary, Jrue Holiday is one of the names who seem likely to be traded. Despite turning 35 in June and having three years left on his $134 million contract, Holiday could be coveted by many teams. His defense, spot-up shooting, and connective playmaking make him a natural fit on just about any roster. Moreover, the two-time NBA champion is a proven winner and an excellent veteran leader. Recently, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that the Sacramento Kings are one team registering interest in Holiday.
The Kings are expected to show interest in Jrue Holiday, per @BrettSiegelNBA pic.twitter.com/dZ08au8kMZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 23, 2025
The Kings have needed a point guard since trading away De’Aaron Fox at the deadline. Holiday is an ideal fit, especially if the Kings hope to make a playoff push. Given the Kings’ payroll, DeMar DeRozan would have to be included in a deal for Holiday, creating a unique swap of two aging stars. From the Kings’ perspective, the motivation is clear: you fill a desperate roster need, and Holiday is a far better fit next to Zach LaVine than DeRozan. However, it’s unclear if this move makes sense for Boston. Let’s dive into this possibility from the Celtics’ perspective.
Kings’ Interest in Jrue Holiday Could Set Up Unique Trade
DeRozan’s Fit with the Celtics is a Mixed Bag
Undoubtedly, DeRozan is a talented wing scorer. Furthermore, at 35, he is still playing at a high level, averaging 22.2 points this past season. The six-time All-Star would help the Celtics stay competitive without Tatum next season. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and DeRozan would certainly be a talented trio in the East. DeRozan would provide high-level isolation scoring, especially late in games, along with solid playmaking. Crucially, swapping Holiday for DeRozan would save the Celtics over $7 million, which is likely the main appeal of this possible move.
However, DeRozan’s subpar shooting makes him a questionable fit in Boston’s three-point-centric offense. For his career, DeRozan is a 30 percent three-point shooter. He also isn’t an above-average defender, which is another characteristic the Celtics value. That’s not to say DeRozan couldn’t work in Boston at least for a year, but his fit is certainly unclear. Additionally, once Tatum returns, three score-first wings would be less than an ideal fit. DeRozan could be a stopgap player for the Celtics, but he’s not a long-term fit given his age and style of play. Considering these factors, the Celtics would be wise to look elsewhere for a trade.
Other Possibilities
Holiday will likely have several suitors. The Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat are logical possibilities to pursue Holiday. Specifically considering the Mavericks, if Daniel Gafford or P.J. Washington are available, the Celtics should jump at that opportunity, given their age and natural fit on the roster. Gafford’s rim protection and lob threat abilities would make him a perfect fit, likewise for Washington, given his versatile defense and shooting. It’s also possible that the Celtics trade Holiday to the Kings, and a third team gets involved to land DeRozan. While DeRozan’s fit with the Celtics wouldn’t be perfect, that possibility still can’t be counted out. Ultimately, it will all come down to Holiday’s trade market and how much money the Celtics can save.
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