REPORT: Jrue Holiday is reportedly “pissed” that he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers & “he does not want to go there,” according Steve Bulpett.

REPORT: Jrue Holiday is reportedly “pissed” that he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers & “he does not want to go there,” according Steve Bulpett.

 

Holiday was expected to be a casualty of second apron concerns, so he knew the possibility was very real that he’d be dealt away from Boston.

 

**REPORT: Jrue Holiday “Pissed” About Portland Trade, Didn’t Want to Leave Boston**

Veteran NBA guard **Jrue Holiday** has built a career on professionalism, elite two-way play, and championship pedigree. But despite his calm demeanor and team-first mentality, recent reports suggest that Holiday is far from pleased with the latest turn in his career path.

According to longtime NBA insider **Steve Bulpett**, Jrue Holiday is **”pissed”** about being traded to the **Portland Trail Blazers**, and sources close to the player say **“he does not want to go there.”** The unexpected shift comes as a result of the **Boston Celtics’ second-apron tax constraints**, leading to the difficult decision to part ways with one of their core contributors in a cap-clearing maneuver.

This report has sent waves across the NBA landscape, raising questions not only about the Celtics’ long-term strategy but also the future of a player who still has plenty left to give — just not in a Blazers uniform.

—

### **The Trade That Sparked the Backlash**

The trade, officially announced on July 2nd, sent **Jrue Holiday** to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a package including **young players and future picks**. This move comes less than a year after Holiday helped lead the Boston Celtics to the **2024 NBA Championship**, anchoring one of the league’s most formidable defenses.

Holiday had signed a **4-year, \$135 million extension** with Boston just months earlier, indicating his commitment to the team and belief in its long-term direction. However, the harsh realities of the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement — particularly the punitive **second apron** — forced Boston’s hand.

“Holiday knew it was a possibility,” Bulpett wrote, “but that doesn’t mean he was OK with it. He was deeply committed to Boston, and this came as a gut punch.”

—

### **Why Jrue Holiday Didn’t Want Portland**

At 35 years old, Jrue Holiday is **not in a rebuilding phase**. He’s a **two-time All-Star**, **five-time All-Defensive Team selection**, and **NBA champion**. His priority now is **contention, stability, and legacy**, not development or prolonged transitions.

Portland, meanwhile, is clearly in the midst of a youth-focused rebuild around **Scoot Henderson**, **Shaedon Sharpe**, and **Anfernee Simons**. Despite acquiring veterans like Deandre Ayton and Malcolm Brogdon over the past year, the team is still **years away from true playoff contention**, making it an ill fit for a veteran like Holiday.

“Jrue has immense respect for the game, but at this stage, he’s looking to compete at the highest level,” a league source told Heavy Sports. “That’s just not where Portland is right now.”

—

### **The Second Apron Explained: Why Boston Moved On**

The NBA’s **new CBA** introduced the concept of a **second salary cap apron**, a financial threshold approximately **\$17.5 million above the luxury tax line**. Crossing this line restricts teams in various ways:

* They can’t use the mid-level exception.
* They lose flexibility in trades.
* They can’t aggregate salaries or sign-and-trade for players.

The Celtics, with **Jayson Tatum**, **Jaylen Brown**, **Kristaps Porziņģis**, **Derrick White**, and **Jrue Holiday** all on substantial deals, faced severe constraints.

In essence, the Celtics had to **shed salary or lose all maneuverability** for years to come.

“Boston didn’t want to move Jrue. But keeping all their core guys would’ve cost them more than \$50 million in taxes and stripped them of all team-building tools,” a front-office source said.

—

### **Holiday’s Boston Legacy Cut Short**

Jrue Holiday played just one season in Boston but left an indelible mark. He averaged **12.8 points**, **5.4 assists**, and **6.1 rebounds** while playing **lockdown perimeter defense** and hitting clutch shots throughout the playoffs. He was a calming presence and a **defensive tone-setter** on a championship roster.

His presence allowed **Derrick White** to flourish off the ball and made Boston nearly impossible to score on in closing lineups with Tatum, Brown, and Porziņģis.

Coach Joe Mazzulla once referred to Holiday as “the adult in the room — always steady, always professional.”

So when the trade was announced, **the locker room was reportedly stunned**. Multiple Celtics players, including Tatum and White, expressed disappointment privately, sources say.

“He was beloved,” said an Eastern Conference scout. “Holiday was what made that team go from dangerous to dominant.”

—

### **What Comes Next for Holiday?**

Though Holiday is now a Trail Blazer **on paper**, league executives **do not expect him to suit up in Portland**.

The likely outcome is a **follow-up trade**, with contenders already expressing interest. Among the potential suitors:

* **Los Angeles Lakers**: In desperate need of a defensive point guard and veteran leadership.
* **Miami Heat**: Long admired Holiday’s grit and championship DNA.
* **Philadelphia 76ers**: A reunion could be enticing with cap space and the need for a mature backcourt partner for Tyrese Maxey.
* **Milwaukee Bucks**: A homecoming would make waves, though financially difficult.

Portland is expected to **field offers over the coming days**, and reports suggest the front office is open to flipping Holiday for **additional assets**, particularly draft capital or more age-aligned players.

—

### **Holiday’s History with Trades: A Familiar Disruption**

This isn’t the first time Jrue Holiday has been abruptly traded despite doing everything right.

* In **2013**, he was traded by the 76ers to New Orleans after making the All-Star team.
* In **2020**, he was dealt from the Pelicans to Milwaukee, helping them win a title in 2021.
* In **2023**, he was traded to Portland (briefly) in the **Damian Lillard** blockbuster, then sent days later to Boston.

Now, history repeats: **traded from a champion**, again to a team in flux.

Each time, he’s responded with grace, but sources say this trade has **hit harder**, given how aligned Holiday was with Boston’s values and mission.

—

### **Voices Around the League React**

**Damian Lillard**, his former short-lived Blazers teammate, tweeted:

> “Jrue deserves to be competing, not starting over again. Hope he lands where he belongs.”

**JJ Redick**, now Lakers head coach, said on his podcast before the trade:

> “Jrue’s one of the most respected dudes in the league. If he’s on the move again, somebody’s getting a gem.”

Fans in Boston flooded social media with thank-you messages.

> “1 year, 1 ring. You’ll always be a Celtic,” one tweet read.
> “Bring him back one day,” another added. “Retire his jersey.”

—

### **Final Thoughts: The Cost of Winning in the Modern NBA**

Jrue Holiday’s trade is emblematic of the modern NBA’s harshest realities:
**Talent is expensive, and success comes at a cost.** The Celtics, forced to choose between flexibility and continuity, chose the former. And Holiday, a casualty of this economic model, is left adrift once again.

While his destination remains uncertain, his value is not.

Whether it’s the Lakers, Heat, Sixers, or another contender, expect Holiday to land on his feet soon — and make a massive impact when he does.

And as for the Portland Trail Blazers?

Their next move might not just shape Jrue Holiday’s future — it could be a pivotal moment in their rebuild.

—

**TL;DR:**

* Jrue Holiday is “pissed” about being traded to Portland.
* He didn’t want to leave Boston after helping them win a title.
* Boston made the move due to second apron cap concerns.
* Holiday is unlikely to stay with the Blazers and may be traded again soon.
* Contenders like the Lakers, Heat, and Sixers are reportedly interested.