News Summary
The Boston Celtics have traded forward Georges Niang and two future draft picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for rookie RJ Luis Jr. Additionally, the Celtics have signed Chris Boucher to a one-year contract. Niang’s trade allows Boston to save on luxury tax expenses, while Boucher enhances the team’s frontcourt depth. The Celtics are undergoing significant roster changes as they navigate a rebuilding phase, particularly with star player Jayson Tatum recovering from injury. The moves indicate Boston’s intent to reshape its lineup for the upcoming season.
Boston — The Boston Celtics are 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 was confirmed on Tuesday, marking the latest shift in the Celtics’ roster as they navigate an offseason of significant changes.
In a separate move, the team has signed Chris Boucher to a one-year contract worth $3.3 million. Boucher, who has spent the last seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors and was part of their 2019 championship team, brings additional depth to the Celtics’ frontcourt.
Georges Niang’s trade comes just a month after he was acquired by Boston in a three-team deal that involved Kristaps Porzingis being sent to the Atlanta Hawks. Previously, Niang played four seasons with the Utah Jazz before joining the Celtics. Last season, he played in 79 games with averages of 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. The trade allows Boston to shed the final year of Niang’s contract, resulting in a savings of approximately $8 million in luxury taxes.
The Celtics are now positioned nearly $8 million below the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax and around $5.4 million above the first apron. Following the acquisition of Boucher, Boston still remains under the second penalty apron. The substantial tax bill has dropped from $73.1 million to $30.4 million due to these recent trades.
This offseason has seen the Celtics engaged in a roster reshuffle, moving other players including Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, JD Davison, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford in various deals. The Boston organization appears to be in a rebuilding phase, especially with key player Jayson Tatum currently recovering from an Achilles tear that he suffered during the playoff series against the New York Knicks.
The acquisition of Georges Niang by the Utah Jazz provides the team with needed veteran experience, complementing their young roster that includes No. 5 overall pick Ace Bailey. Niang achieved a career-high three-point shooting percentage of 40% last season, making him a valuable addition for the Jazz.
On the other hand, rookie RJ Luis Jr. who is making his way to Boston was recognized as the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year after a standout season at St. John’s University. The Celtics are hopeful that Luis’ skills will translate well to the professional level and contribute positively to the team’s future.
Adding Boucher enhances Boston’s frontcourt depth, particularly after he averaged 10.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season with the Raptors. His experience and skill set could provide essential support as the Celtics forge ahead in a season of transition.
In addition to these roster changes, the Celtics are reportedly exploring options for guard Anfernee Simons who has a $27.7 million contract in its final year. The team’s aggressive trading approach indicates a strong willingness to reshape their roster in light of their current circumstances.
As the offseason progresses, the Celtics and their fanbase await to see how these changes impact the team’s performance in the upcoming season and how they will adjust to a new competitive landscape in the NBA.
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Additional Resources
- NBA.com: Celtics Trade Georges Niang to Jazz
- New York Post: Celtics Trade Georges Niang to Jazz
- CelticsBlog: Celtics Trade Georges Niang
- NBC Sports Boston: Georges Niang Trade
- SI.com: Celtics Trade Georges Niang
- Wikipedia: Boston Celtics
- Google Search: Georges Niang
- Google Scholar: Georges Niang
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston Celtics
- Google News: Boston Celtics
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