This is going to be a pivotal offseason for the Boston Celtics that will have ripple effects on the next half-decade of the franchise. Which players the Celtics should trade, which ones they should retain, and how aggressively they should try to be competitive next season are all massive decisions that will impact the NBA landscape for years to come.
Considering that the Celtics will almost certainly have to make a cost-cutting move, Jrue Holiday is the most likely player to be moved this offseason. The soon-to-be 35-year-old has three more years on his deal, is set to make $32.4 million next season, and shows obvious signs of decline. Moving on from him in a deal that saves the Celtics some money, gives them more flexibility, without making them much worse on the court is the ideal offseason scenario for Boston.
This projected trade with the Atlanta Hawks does just that.
In this scenario, the Celtics receive Terance Mann, Georges Niang, and Kobe Bufkin from the Hawks, alongside a protected first-round pick. Boston ends up saving $4.2 million for the 2025-26 season in terms of salary cap, but the tax savings are even larger.
Bufkin is a recent 15th-overall pick and hasn't shown much in the NBA so far, but could be an asset for the Celtics to use in a different trade. Mann and Niang could be a part of the rotation in Boston; Mann as a solid perimeter defender off the bench, and Niang as a potential Sam Hauser replacement if the Celtics decide to move him in a cost-cutting trade as well. Neither Niang nor Mann is a big difference maker, but they are solid players who could contribute, especially in the regular season.
Atlanta, on the other hand, finds a great veteran leader who complements Trae Young perfectly. Holiday can take on the toughest defensive assignments next to Dyson Daniels, making Young's job much easier. They don't give up any premium assets in this deal, keeping their powder dry for future moves down the line.
If the Celtics can get a similar deal on the open market, they shouldn't waste any time moving Holiday. What type of deal GM Brad Stevens eventually pulls off in the offseason will be fascinating to see.