Celtics predicted to put $100 million Jrue Holiday replacement up on trade block three months after getting him

The Boston Celtics had to make many hard decisions this offseason, including trading away two of their superstars in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Holiday’s trade did net some good, though, as they got a rising star in Anfernee Simons. 

However, some people think that the Celtics will move on from Simons as soon as they can. Fansided’s Bryan Toporek is one of those people, as he believes Simons is one of the most likely players to be traded this season.

“The Celtics are now comfortably below the second apron, but their work might not be done yet. They’re still roughly $12.1 million above the $187.9 million luxury-tax threshold and will be subject to the more punitive repeater tax this season because they’ve been taxpayers in each of the past three years. Unless their depleted roster works its way back into championship contention, the Celtics might be motivated to keep slashing and burning, which could put Anfernee Simons on the chopping block,” Toporek wrote. 

Simons is currently in the last year of a four-year, $100 million deal, and he’s currently the fourth-highest-paid Celtic on the roster. This past season, Simons averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 0.9 steals over 70 games. 

Simons isn’t really known for his defense, and the Celtics’ defense is one of their main traits. However, he does shoot 38% from deep, which does fit Boston’s preferred form of offense. 

If the Celtics want to continue slashing their budget and using this as a bridge season to next year, they’ll look for a suitor. However, with Jayson Tatum’s possible return later this season, the C’s may look to keep Simons to make sure their team is at full power for a potential playoff run. 

Hopefully, they will decide soon, as the market is ever-changing.