The Boston Celtics traded forward Georges Niang and two future second-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for rookie RJ Luis Jr. as they continue to rebalance their cap sheet. However, they’ve attempted to get other business done recently ahead of the NBA season.
Sources told FastbreakJournal.com that Boston entered the offseason focused on shedding salary and had struggled to find a trade partner for Anfernee Simons’ contract since acquiring him in the Jrue Holiday trade. Simons remains a trade candidate to monitor.
Anfernee Simons Remains a Trade Candidate
Sources also indicated that the Celtics have maintained a realistic perspective about where each player stands with the organization amid their focus to shed salary, expressing that it’s not guaranteed either player would begin the season in Boston. Niang was later moved.
Moving Niang, who is on an expiring $8.2 million deal, proved an easier path to cutting costs while sending him to an organization that values his skill set. Utah acquired Niang with part of the $26.6 million trade exception generated from last summer’s John Collins deal.
Niang landed in Utah just a month after being dealt to Boston in a three-team trade that sent Kristaps Porziņģis to Atlanta. He previously spent four seasons with the Jazz from 2018–22. The 31-year-old forward appeared in 79 games last season with Atlanta and Cleveland, averaging a career-best 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Boston Celtics Drop Luxury Tax Bill
The deal carries major financial implications for the Celtics. Boston’s luxury tax bill drops from $73.1 million to $30.4 million, moving the team $10.2 million below the league’s second apron and $1.7 million above the first.
In a separate move, power forward Chris Boucher has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with Boston. The 32-year-old spent the past seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors, playing a key role in their 2019 championship run.
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