Celtics Trade Porzingis, Add Georges Niang, Save $180M in Luxury Tax Ahead of NBA Season
The Boston Celtics have made significant roster moves ahead of the upcoming NBA season, executing a three-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets that brings veteran forward Georges Niang to Boston. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Celtics also received multiple second-round draft picks in the deal.
As part of the trade, Boston sent Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick to Atlanta. The Hawks, in turn, sent Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick in this year’s draft to Brooklyn. Boston’s return includes Niang, Atlanta’s second-round pick, and Cleveland’s 2031 second-round pick, which Atlanta had acquired previously. Atlanta will take on Boston’s less favorable second-round pick in 2026.
Niang, a 31-year-old sharpshooter, averaged nearly 9 points per game last season with Cleveland, shooting 38.5% from three-point range. His ability to space the floor and facilitate ball movement will be an asset for the Celtics, especially with Porzingis departing.
Porzingis leaves Boston after two strong seasons, highlighted by a career-best 41.2% three-point shooting clip and an average of over 19 points per game. Atlanta plans to slot him alongside Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher in their frontcourt rotation.
Additionally, the Celtics completed a separate trade sending Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. In return, Boston acquired Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. Combined, these transactions are projected to save the Celtics approximately $180 million in luxury tax payments next season, according to ESPN analyst Bobby Marks. Before these moves, Boston’s combined payroll and tax liability were expected to exceed $500 million.
With these adjustments, the Celtics now sit below the second luxury tax apron and may even avoid paying luxury tax entirely this season. The team’s financial prudence comes at a crucial time, following star forward Jayson Tatum’s devastating Achilles injury during the playoff loss to the New York Knicks.
