The NBA offseason is officially underway, and the Boston Celtics are already making bold moves. In a surprising twist, the team has traded veteran guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for rising scorer Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
With Jayson Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles, this deal signals a shift in Boston’s short-term plans. The superstar forward suffered the devastating injury during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks on May 12, leaving the Celtics without their primary scoring option for the foreseeable future.
And with Simons stepping into a bigger spotlight, attention now turns to what he’s bringing on the court and on the books. Here’s a breakdown of Simons’ contract, salary, and net worth.
Anfernee Simons Contract Details and Financial Impact
Simons arrives in Boston carrying a $100 million contract he signed with the Trail Blazers in 2022, according to Spotrac.
The deal averages $25 million per year, but it scales upward. For the 2025–26 season, Simons will earn a base salary of $27.7 million. That figure also stands as his cap hit and dead cap value for the year since he’s in the final year of the deal.
Recall that Simons was selected 24th overall by the Blazers in the 2018 NBA Draft. At the time, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth just over $10.1 million, with an average annual salary of $2.5 million. He was a five-star recruit and one of the top-ranked players in the 2018 class, even becoming the third player since 2015 to jump straight into the league after high school.
BREAKING: The Boston Celtics have traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/2ycXQicGkT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025
Now, with the Celtics acquiring him in a blockbuster move, his contract gives Boston a proven scorer and financial flexibility. With Simons’ contract expiring, the Celtics will most certainly re-sign him and could give him a raise as well, with Holiday’s $135 million contract off the books.
The Celtics seem to be preparing for what looks like a “gap year” of sorts. With Tatum recovering from the ruptured Achilles suffered during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, Boston clearly needs someone who could shoulder the scoring load in the meantime. Simons, who averaged 19.3 points per game as Portland’s primary option last season, fits that bill perfectly.
Simons’ offensive skill set, including shot creation, three-level scoring, and some underrated playmaking, makes him an immediate plug-in for the Celtics, who suddenly find themselves transitioning while still trying to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Simons’ Current Salary and Financial Standing
For the upcoming NBA season, Simons’ salary is locked in at $27.7 million. That’s a significant paycheck, and it reflects his rising status as a scorer and playmaker. Note that last season, he was the leading scorer for the Trail Blazers, demonstrating his ability to carry an offensive load.
As for his net worth, there’s no official figure available. However, between his NBA earnings both from his rookie deal and current contract, Simons has secured solid financial ground. His total career earnings from his NBA contracts exceed $110 million when combining his rookie deal and current four-year extension. He’s also appeared on OpenSponsorship, a platform for athlete brand deals, showing he’s active off the court too.
The financial savings from this trade are substantial for Boston. By moving Holiday’s remaining contract obligations and bringing in Simons on an expiring deal, the Celtics position themselves for flexibility moving forward. This move also saves the organization an estimated $40 million in luxury tax payments for the upcoming season, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Now in Boston, Simons steps into a crucial role with Tatum recovering from injury. With added minutes and responsibility in the Celtics’ system, Simons has a prime opportunity to prove he can carry the load and validate Boston’s bold investment.
His shooting ability, particularly from three-point range where he’s averaged 8.8 attempts per game over the past three seasons at 37.4%, should mesh well with coach Joe Mazzulla’s offensive philosophy.
The acquisition represents both immediate help for a championship-contending team and long-term financial prudence, as the Celtics navigate the complexities of the NBA’s second apron restrictions while maintaining their competitive edge in the Eastern Conference.
