As the Boston Celtics explore ways to trim salary and avoid the constraints of the NBA’s second luxury tax apron, veteran guard Jrue Holiday is surfacing as a potential trade candidate—and the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly one of the teams to watch.
Holiday, 35, still has three years and roughly $104 million remaining on his contract. The Celtics, who captured the 2024 NBA title, are projected to be well above the second apron and must shed close to $20 million to maintain financial flexibility. That reality makes Holiday a logical trade chip despite his leadership and championship pedigree.
Los Angeles Clippers Trade Rumors: LA Emerges as Trade Suitor for Celtics Guard Jrue Holiday
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Former Brooklyn Nets GM and ESPN front office analyst Bobby Marks recently told NBC Sports Boston that both the Clippers and Dallas Mavericks stand out as “interesting” potential trade partners.
“They’re interesting to me because they have two players who have player options with Kyrie Irving and James Harden,” Marks said. “What happens with both those players… will play a significant role in what flexibility the Clips and Dallas will have.”
Holiday, who averaged 11.1 points and shot 35.3% from three last season, played a key role in Boston’s title run but may now be expendable due to the team’s backcourt depth and looming tax implications. A recent report from MassLive’s Brian Robb confirmed the Clippers have shown interest in acquiring him.
The Clippers had previously pursued Holiday when the Blazers made him available following the Damian Lillard trade in 2023. Boston ultimately outbid them—sending Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, and two future first-round picks to land Holiday just before training camp. That move helped power the Celtics to a 2024 NBA title. After missing out, the Clippers pivoted to acquiring James Harden from the 76ers in a blockbuster of their own, but they’ve still failed to advance past the first round in each of the last two postseasons.
Cap expert Yossi Gozlan even floated a three-team trade scenario involving the Clippers, Celtics, and Wizards that would bring Holiday and Xavier Tillman to L.A. while saving Boston over $21 million in salary—and potentially up to $130 million with tax savings.
While Holiday’s age and contract might make other teams hesitate, his two-way skill set, playoff experience, and locker room value could be precisely what a contender like the Clippers needs—especially as they navigate James Harden’s uncertain future.
With offseason decisions looming in Boston and ripple effects possible across the league, the Clippers’ interest in Holiday could soon become much more than speculation.