Welcome again to the Deal or No Deal sequence the place we break down if the Celtics ought to convey again a sure participant for the 2025-26 NBA season. If a participant is beneath “Deal” then the participant shouldn’t be introduced again. If “No Deal” then the participant ought to be introduced again.
The following participant on this sequence is Jrue Vacation. After the 2024 season the place he made an All-Protection group and shot 43% from three, the 2025 season noticed a decline for Vacation. In 62 video games, he averaged 11.1 PPG, 4.3 REB, and three.9 AST on 44% capturing from the sphere, 35% from three and 91% from the free throw line.
Much like Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, Vacation missed time with a few nagging accidents that affected his play. In December, he missed time with left knee tendinopathy and a proper shoulder impingement, in February, he had proper hand mallet finger that had him put on a forged on his pinky, and within the playoffs, he suffered a proper hamstring pressure that slowed him down.
Vacation has voiced that he needs to remain in Boston, saying in his finish of season press convention, “I nonetheless need to be an element (of this group).” When requested his ideas on potential roster strikes from the Celtics, Vacation replied with, “Yeah, I feel we nonetheless have a very, actually nice alternative. And an excellent window to achieve success and win a championship once more…the chance to win is now, and I nonetheless need to be part of that.”
Jrue Vacation on the Celtics probably having to make roster modifications and if he’s hopeful to be again subsequent yr:
“The chance to win is now and I nonetheless need to be aside of that.” pic.twitter.com/1cU5fhpzhQ
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) Might 17, 2025
With the Celtics anticipated to shed wage this offseason with second apron penalties looming, Vacation has come up as a reputation that’s nearly assured to be on the transfer. Within the final week alone, now we have heard the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Clippers are all enthusiastic about a possible deal.
In keeping with Mark Stein of The Stein Line, the Mavericks are exploring whether or not there’s a possible pathway to drag off a Jrue Vacation commerce even along with his contract. If Dallas wished to make a transfer for Vacation, they might most certainly have to surrender Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, and Oliver-Maxence Prosper simply to make the cash work.
In keeping with Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Kings are searching for a real level guard and with a brand new GM, they’ve curiosity in Vacation even when it is attainable or not. If Sacramento was to make a commerce, the deal would most certainly focus on Malik Monk, Jonas Valanciunas, and most certainly a draft decide. Though Monk was the Sixth Man of the 12 months runner up in 2024, I don’t suppose this transfer is the most effective Brad Stevens and the Celtics can do. One other attainable transfer is a one-for-one commerce that swaps Vacation for DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan is on the ultimate yr of his contract and the commerce will save the Celtics $7.7 million.
In keeping with Brian Robb of MassLive, the Clippers had been one of many groups the Celtics outbid for Vacation within the 2023 offseason and are anticipated to be in on him once more. Robb mentions Bogdan Bogdanovic being the primary wage that the Celtics would obtain in return alongside middle Drew Eubanks and one other low-cost participant like Jordan Miller or Cam Christie.
My private thought for a Vacation to the Clippers commerce additionally contains Bogdanovic to Boston however they might additionally obtain Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn who each have yet another deal left on their present contracts. Boston might then flip Jones Jr. to a different group to realize extra belongings.
Verdict: Deal
In an ideal world, Jrue Vacation can be a member of the Boston Celtics for the remainder of his profession, however with their present monetary state of affairs, it simply doesn’t appear seemingly. Vacation nonetheless holds rather a lot weight in terms of a possible commerce across the league, not just for his play on the court docket, but in addition being the good teammate and veteran presence. Out of everybody on the Celtics roster, Vacation might be the one to get the largest return this offseason.
