Celtics
The Celtics lessened their tax invoice by tens of tens of millions by shifting Niang’s contract off their books.
Georges Niang’s tenure with the Celtics seems to have been very short-lived.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Celtics traded the veteran big man and Massachusetts native and two second-round picks to the Utah Jazz in alternate for rookie RJ Luis Jr.
Transferring on from Niang and his $8.2 expiring contract will assist alleviate Boston’s still-hefty tax invoice for subsequent season, with ESPN’s Bobby Marks noting that Boston’s tax penalties dropped from $73.1 million to $30.4 million by shifting Niang’s contract.
The Celtics subsequently signed veteran ahead Chris Boucher to a one-year, $3.3 million, with Boston accounting for Niang’s spot within the frontcourt with a less expensive different in Boucher.
Marks added that Boston’s projected wage and luxurious tax invoice on June 15 was projected to come back in at a whopping $540 million. Since then, a flurry of strikes by Brad Stevens now has that whole invoice all the way down to $239 million.
Niang, 32, was initially acquired by Boston earlier this offseason as one of many returns for the Celtics’ commerce that sent Kristaps Porzingins to Atlanta.
Over 79 video games (three begins) between the Cavaliers and Hawks final season, Niang averaged 9.9 factors, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.
He had huge sneakers to fill following the departure of Porzingis, however Niang was seemingly a very good match for a Joe Mazzulla-coached roster, contemplating that he sank 40.6 % of his photographs from 3-point vary in 2024-25.
Niang will now return to the Utah Jazz, whom he performed for from 2017-21.
Lessening that luxury-tax invoice and liberating up the capital to signal a less expensive different in Boucher was seemingly Stevens’ prime focus with this deal. However, Boston additionally acquired an intriguing asset in Luis Jr.
An undrafted guard who signed with the Jazz after the 2025 NBA Draft concluded, the 22-year-old Luis Jr. began his profession with UMass earlier than transferring to St. John’s from 2023-25.
In the course of the 2024-25 season with the Purple Storm, Luis Jr. averaged 18.2 factors, 7.2 rebounds and a couple of.0 assists for the Purple Storm, and received Massive East Participant of the 12 months honors.
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