What Mass. native Georges Niang said about trade from Celtics

Georges Niang’s time with the Celtics was transient.

He was acquired within the commerce that despatched Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta. Then, the Celtics despatched him to Utah not lengthy after.

The Methuen native Niang mentioned he wasn’t stunned by how brief his keep in Boston was. It’s how enterprise usually goes within the NBA.

“It was the summer time, so no person was actually on the town,” Niang informed reporters in a video posted by CLNS Media. “I obtained a little bit time within the Summer season league. It was simply transient. I’m from right here, I reside right here. Apart from that, it was simply the enterprise side of adjusting jerseys and transferring on from there.”

He described a welcoming ambiance. He had lunch with Joe Mazzulla and a few simple conversations with Brad Stevens about the potential of him being on the transfer once more. He referred to as Stevens “the perfect of the perfect” for his transparency.

After a decade within the league with appearances for 5 completely different franchises, Niang mentioned he didn’t have time to really feel sentimental about leaving the Celtics.

“I simply assume the NBA is the land of the unknown. As a lot as individuals assume it was [messed] up or loopy, it occurred. That is skilled sports activities. It wasn’t meant to be understood. That’s simply the way it goes.

“Clearly being from right here you wish to play on your hometown crew, however I don’t assume as an expert athlete you will have sufficient time to be heartbroken or upset. You simply transfer on and go alongside. It’s simply one other a part of the journey.”

There have been nonetheless some outdated mates who had been rooting for him to stay with the Celtics, although.

“You’ll be able to think about how that appeared, and clearly they had been excited,” Niang mentioned. “However, like I mentioned, it is a enterprise. My finest recommendation to anyone is to not let your feelings get in the best way of enterprise. As a lot as we performed this as a recreation rising up without cost, it is a enterprise and there’s some enterprise issues that occurred that lots of people don’t perceive.”

Niang, who has been out with a foot damage didn’t play in Utah’s 105-103 win over the Celtics regardless of making the journey to Boston. There aren’t any arduous emotions about his transient keep, he mentioned.

“That’s simply how the cookie crumbles,” Niang mentioned. “I play basketball for a dwelling. I’m fully blessed, and I don’t dislike the town of Boston. That is my house. I grew up rooting for this crew however clearly I’ve a distinct employer and that’s what you wish to name it.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports activities Reporter

Khari Thompson covers skilled sports activities for Boston.com. Earlier than becoming a member of the crew in 2022, Khari lined faculty soccer for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.