Boston Celtics Trade Georges Niang to Utah Jazz

A visual representation of the Boston Celtics' trade activity during the offseason.

News Summary

The Boston Celtics have traded forward Georges Niang and two future second-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz for rookie RJ Luis Jr. This move comes as part of the Celtics’ roster reshaping efforts and follows the signing of veteran Chris Boucher. Niang’s trade allows Boston to save significantly on luxury taxes, while the Jazz aim to bolster their roster with his veteran experience. The Celtics are strategically navigating a rebuilding phase, exploring market moves, and managing contracts amid ongoing injuries.

Boston – The Boston Celtics have made a significant move by trading forward Georges Niang along with two future second-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for rookie RJ Luis Jr. This trade, confirmed by various reports, is part of the Celtics’ ongoing efforts to reshape their roster. The deal comes alongside the signing of veteran Chris Boucher to a one-year, $3.3 million contract.

Georges Niang, who was just acquired by Boston a month ago as part of a larger trade that included Kristaps Porzingis moving to Atlanta, has had an established career in the NBA. The forward previously spent four seasons with the Utah Jazz, where he became known for his shooting ability. Last season, he played 79 games between Atlanta and Cleveland, averaging 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. The Celtics’ decision to trade Niang allows them to shed the final year of his contract, which leads to an $8 million savings in luxury taxes, significantly dropping their tax bill from $73.1 million to $30.4 million.

In addition to the trade for Luis, who was a standout player at St. John’s University and named the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year, the Celtics also signed Chris Boucher. The Canadian forward has spent the past seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors, contributing to their championship win in 2019. Last season, Boucher averaged 10.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, providing additional frontcourt depth for Boston.

With these moves, the Celtics now find themselves nearly $8 million below the NBA’s second penalty apron of the luxury tax, while being about $5.4 million above the first apron. This financial positioning is vital for the team as they look to balance competitiveness with financial responsibilities.

The offseason has seen a flurry of roster changes for Boston as they navigate a rebuilding phase amidst injuries. Star player Jayson Tatum is currently recovering from an Achilles tear sustained during the playoff series against the Knicks, and the team has also moved Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, JD Davison, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford in different deals. This strategy illustrates Boston’s commitment to restructuring the team for future success.

Utah’s acquisition of Niang adds veteran experience to a youthful roster that includes promising talents such as Ace Bailey, the No. 5 overall pick. Niang’s impressive three-point shooting percentage, which reached a career-high of 40% last season, is expected to be an asset for the Jazz as they build their team dynamics.

Furthermore, there are reports that the Celtics are still exploring the market for guard Anfernee Simons, who is on a lucrative $27.7 million contract in its final year. As the Celtics continue to adjust their lineup, their strategic moves aim to ensure they remain competitive while planning for the future.