“It’s gonna be a crazy summer. There’s going to be a lot of movement.”
According to Marc Stein on his Substack, one Western Conference executive said that about the upcoming NBA offseason. This sets the stage for what promises to be a summer filled with blockbuster trades, surprise moves, and major reshuffles across the league.
The rumor mill is in full swing with teams already recalibrating after disappointing playoff exits. Now, a new mock trade proposal has sparked interest, this time involving the Boston Celtics and their veteran guard Jrue Holiday with the Los Angeles Clippers.
But before we get to that trade proposal, let’s look at the latest NBA mock draft from PFSN.
Who Might the Clippers Select in the 2025 NBA Draft?
PFSN Analyst Bjorn Bergstrom has the Los Angeles Clippers selecting Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton.
He said, “Ryan Kalkbrenner doesn’t have the potential to be a long-term star, but he does project as a role-playing backup center — exactly what the Los Angeles Clippers should be looking for with the final pick in the first round.
“Standing 7’1″, the former Creighton Blue Jays center amassed a record four straight Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards, something that should, in part, translate to the pros as an extremely lengthy defensive anchor. Lacking a backup center behind starter Ivica Zubac, the 23-year-old Kalkbrenner could walk in and have that spot from Day 1.”
Meanwhile, an NBA mock draft that was released on ClutchPoints has the Celtics moving Jrue Holiday to the Clippers in exchange for a package that includes sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic, defensive specialist Derrick Jones Jr., and journeyman point guard Kris Dunn.
While it’s just a mock trade, the suggestion isn’t far-fetched. The Celtics, who finished the regular season with an impressive 61-21 record, were bounced out in the second round of the playoffs by the New York Knicks in a 4-2 series upset.
The Clippers are expected to show interest in Jrue Holiday per @BrianTRobb
“Holiday is expected to be pursued by several teams on the trade market, and a league source tells MassLive that the Los Angeles Clippers are one team expected to show interest in the 34-year-old guard… pic.twitter.com/FEZmw9cLwL
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 28, 2025
To make matters worse, franchise star Jayson Tatum suffered a devastating Achilles tear during that series, casting doubt over his availability for next season.
With Tatum’s injury and a ballooning payroll, Boston finds itself at a financial crossroads. The team is dangerously close to the league’s dreaded second apron — a level of luxury tax that triggers strict penalties and restricts roster flexibility.
To avoid those crippling limitations, the Celtics may be forced to shed salary. As a result, Holiday’s contract could be the first on the chopping block.
Holiday signed a four-year, $134.4 million deal with the Celtics in 2024, keeping him under contract through the 2026-27 season with a player option for the 2027-28 campaign. While his experience and defense are invaluable, his $33 million-plus average annual salary is a luxury the Celtics may not be able to afford going forward.
On the other hand, the Clippers are in desperate need of a backcourt upgrade. This season, they heavily relied on James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. The former averaged 22.8 points and the latter provided 21.5 points per game. Despite their efforts, the Clippers fell to the Denver Nuggets in a grueling seven-game series in the first round.
Adding a seasoned veteran like Holiday, who brings championship pedigree and elite perimeter defense with the two titles he won with the Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics, could be the missing piece for a Clippers team desperate to break through.
According to “MassLive’s” NBA insider Brian Robb, the Clippers may already have their eyes on Holiday, which further legitimizes the mock trade proposal.
“Holiday is expected to be pursued by several teams on the trade market, and a league source tells MassLive that the Los Angeles Clippers are one team expected to show interest in the 34-year-old guard this offseason,” said Robb.
Holiday had a statistically quieter season, averaging 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, but his impact often goes beyond the box score. With the Celtics facing financial strain and the Clippers seeking backcourt help, Holiday might be wearing a different jersey next season.
