Brad Stevens couldn’t — and wouldn’t — address the Celtics’ decisions to trade Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis during his draft-night news conference. NBA rules prevented him from doing so since those deals can’t become official until July 6.

The Blazers agreed to deal 26-year-old guard Anfernee Simons to the Celtics earlier this week, and the reasoning for the deal on Boston's side of the trade was about as clear as it gets. The Celtics were looking at one of the largest repeater tax bills in NBA history if they did not reduce salary on their 2024 title core.

On Monday night, they dealt Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in return for Anfernee Simons and a pair of second-round draft picks. Sources told MassLive that the picks include a 2030 selection from the Knicks and a 2031 pick from the Blazers.