Celtics’ Porzingis deal saves staff $180M, onboards Georges Niang. What’s subsequent?
The Boston Celtics have made one other large roster transfer forward of the brand new NBA season. In a three-team commerce involving the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets, Boston is bringing in veteran ahead Georges Niang, together with a second-round draft choose, in response to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The deal noticed Boston ship Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round choose to Atlanta, whereas Brooklyn obtained Terance Mann and the No. 22 choose on this 12 months’s draft from the Hawks.
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Who’s Georges Niang?
Now, in return, the Celtics obtained Niang, Atlanta’s second-rounder, and Cleveland’s 2031 second-round choose, which Atlanta had beforehand acquired. Atlanta will tackle Boston’s least beneficial second-round choose in 2026, sources instructed ESPN.
Niang, a 31-year-old sharpshooter, averaged slightly below 9 factors per sport with Cleveland final season and shot 38.5% from three. His presence will assist Boston preserve ground spacing and ball motion, particularly with Porzingis heading to Atlanta.
Porzingis, for his half, is coming off two spectacular seasons in Boston, together with taking pictures a career-best 41.2% from deep whereas averaging over 19 factors per sport. If wholesome, he’s anticipated to fit in properly alongside Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher within the Hawks’ frontcourt.
The Celtics traded Jrue Vacation to the Portland Path Blazers late Monday. That deal introduced again Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. In accordance with ESPN’s Bobby Marks, these two trades will save the Celtics a large $180 million in projected luxurious tax funds. Earlier than the strikes, Boston was a mixed payroll and tax invoice of over $500 million for subsequent season.
Now, Boston finds itself beneath the second luxurious tax apron and will even be on observe to duck the tax altogether this season. The Celtics had been anticipated to make cost-cutting changes this summer time, particularly after star ahead Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles tear throughout the staff’s playoff loss to the Knicks.
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In the meantime, Atlanta additionally will get some monetary respiration room because it strikes on from Terance Mann’s $15.5 million annual wage. Porzingis is on an expiring $30 million deal, giving the Hawks some flexibility as they navigate potential extensions for Dyson Daniels and choices round All-Star guard Trae Younger’s future.
