4 hours ago
5
As the Boston Celtics continue to enforce cost-cutting measures ahead of next season, one star has been left 'p***ed' over their decision to trade him.
On Monday, Boston traded starting point guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in a late-night move - just two days before the highly-anticipated NBA Draft.
In exchange, the Trail Blazers sent back shooting guard Anfernee Simons and two second round picks as the Celtics push on with their summer rebuild.
However, longtime Celtics reporter Steve Bulpett has now reported that Holiday has been left frustrated with the move and that he 'does not' want to join the Trail Blazers.
A source told Bulpett: 'Now, if he winds up staying there, I'm sure he'll be the professional he's always been and make a positive contribution.
'But he's not happy with this deal. I'll be surprised if Portland doesn't move him on if they can, because right now, he does not want to go there.
The Boston Celtics have traded starting point guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers
Reports claim that the Holiday is 'p***ed' about the move - as the Celtics continue their rebuild
'I'm sure if he has to go to Portland, he'll end up going and it'll be OK, but right now they want to be somewhere else. But with that contract, it's not going to be that easy.'
It's something of a return for Holiday, who was sent to Portland by the Milwaukee Bucks in the Damian Lillard trade back in 2023.
Holiday never played for Portland, as Boston traded for the player and sent the Trail Blazers two first round picks in 2024 (which the Blazers used to draft Bub Carrington) and in 2029.
By moving Holiday, Boston lose a key defensive piece and a consistent facilitator who won an NBA title in Milwaukee in 2021 before helping the Celtics win a record-setting 18th championship in 2024.
As well as Holiday, the Celtics are also looking to trade two more of their stars, according to reports, as they push forward with a summer rebuild.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Celtics are on the verge of finalizing a three-team deal which will send a second-round pick and star center Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks.
Charania has also suggested that Boston are willing to 'listen' to offers for star player Jaylen Brown - with 'multiple' teams showing 'significant' interest'.
