But to really shed some big bucks off the books, Stevens will have to trade either Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porzingis -- or both. Dealing one should help Boston get under the second apron, and dealing both would get them under while allowing Stevens some wiggle room to build out the rest of the roster.

The Clippers were one of the finalists to trade for Holiday two years ago, multiple sources told MassLive. Boston outbid the Clippers for the guard and now could dangle Holiday as a potential addition to the team’s aging core of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

Some NBA executives reportedly believe the Boston Celtics will have to add a sweetener if they want to trade veteran guard Jrue Holiday during the offseason.