The Boston Celtics have agreed to a significant three-team trade involving the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks, sending center Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta. In return, Boston will acquire veteran forward Georges Niang, according to multiple league sources. This deal comes just a day after the Celtics traded point guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Celtics’ offseason, following their championship victory, had been notably quiet until now. With basketball operations head Brad Stevens previously expressing confidence in the team’s ability to repeat their success, this move marks a strategic pivot. The trade also involves Boston sending the lesser of their two 2026 second-round picks and acquiring a 2031 second-round pick.
Financial Implications and Strategic Adjustments
The Celtics faced a daunting combined salary and luxury tax bill of approximately $500 million for the next season, a figure that would have set a new NBA record. However, with the latest trades, that amount is expected to decrease by about $220 million, as reported by CapSheets.com.
More critically, by offloading Porzingis’s $30.8 million salary, Boston will slip under the second salary cap apron. This move alleviates potential roster-building restrictions, including the freezing of future first-round draft picks, the inability to aggregate salaries in trades, and the loss of access to the mid-level exception.
Impact on the Celtics’ Roster
With star player Jayson Tatum likely sidelined next season due to an Achilles injury, the Celtics will start the season missing at least three starters from their 2024 championship team. The NBA’s roster-building rules, designed to promote parity across the league, have significantly influenced Boston’s recent decisions.
Georges Niang, a Methuen native, joins Boston after averaging a career-high 12.1 points per game with the Hawks last season. Known for his 39 percent three-point shooting accuracy, Niang’s $8.2 million expiring contract is a cost-effective addition for the Celtics.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
This trade was facilitated by the Nets, who absorbed the $22 million contract of Hawks guard Terance Mann. Mann, a Lowell native, was part of the three-team deal, leveraging the Nets’ available salary cap space this summer.
Reflecting on the team’s direction, Brad Stevens noted the challenges posed by the collective bargaining agreement. “The [collective bargaining agreement] has been well-known for years,” Stevens said. “There are penalties associated with being at certain levels, and we know that. You just weigh that. You weigh where we are. You weigh everything else then you make those decisions.”
Stevens has adeptly managed to reduce the team’s salary burden without sacrificing significant assets in trades. However, the departure of high-character players like Holiday and Porzingis has left a somber mood within the organization.
Looking Ahead: Draft and Free Agency
Boston’s first major offseason move involved trading Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers for shooting guard Anfernee Simons and two future second-round picks. Simons, with a $27.7 million salary next season, is expected to bolster the Celtics’ roster.
As the Celtics prepare for the upcoming NBA draft, they hold the 28th and 32nd picks. More than 50 prospects have visited the Auerbach Center for workouts, indicating a proactive approach to roster reconstruction.
The Celtics also face decisions regarding their unrestricted free agents, including veteran big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet. Horford’s future remains uncertain, while Kornet’s impressive performance last season has attracted interest from teams seeking frontcourt upgrades.
As the Celtics navigate these changes, the creation of a substantial traded player exception from the Porzingis deal positions them to potentially acquire new talent without matching salaries. However, maintaining financial flexibility under the second apron remains a priority.
With free agency talks set to open, the Celtics’ strategic maneuvers will be closely watched as they aim to remain competitive while adhering to the league’s financial regulations.
