Unbelievable! The Celtics believe that sending off the veteran in the backcourt can get a first-round pick?

According to US media ActionNetwork reporter Matt Moore, the Boston Celtics are seeking to exchange for a first-round pick by sending off backcourt veteran Jrue Holiday.

Matt Moore said: TheSteinLine reporter Mark Stein had previously reported that Boston was indeed listening to trading quotes about Holiday, which is something that most people should have guessed long ago. Although it is generally believed that they did this to cut the team's salary, some sources told me that the Celtics' current asking price for Holiday is: a first-round draft pick, plus a low-paying contract to match his salary. In other words, the Celtics believe that Holiday is actually of high value, and they also believe that Holiday can attract the attention and interest of some teams in the market.

In the NBA regular season this season, Holiday made a total of 62 appearances in 82 games, averaging 30.6 minutes per game, averaging 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks, and 1.2 turnovers and 1.6 fouls. His shooting percentage was 44.3%, three-point shooting percentage was 35.3%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 90.9%. In the playoffs, Holiday made 8 appearances in total, with averaging 33 minutes per game, with averaging 9.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.1 blocks. He also had 2 turnovers and 3.1 fouls. His shooting percentage was 48.3%, his three-point shooting percentage was 34.6%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 69.2%. Holiday renewed a four-year contract with the Celtic last summer, with a total amount of up to $134.4 million, and his contract will not expire until the summer of 2028. The contract has just been completed for a year, and Holiday's total salary in the next three years will be as high as $104 million, and his salary will exceed $30 million each season. By the 2027-28 season, Holiday's salary will reach $37.2 million, and it is also a player option. Judging from the regression that Holiday has seen this season, his contract is likely to become a complete garbage contract in the 2027-28 season.

Judging from the situation this season, although Holiday's contract has some premium components, it cannot be considered a garbage contract. However, Holiday will be 35 years old in a few days. Combined with his regression this season, he will obviously continue to decline in his performance in the next few seasons. With Holiday's performance, such age and such contract composition, it is obviously not easy for the Celtics to find a takeover. Can they really get a future first-round pick by sending Holiday away? It sounds like this is a bit incredible?