The Celtics are trading Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Jazz for rookie RJ Luis, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets.
Utah is utilizing part of the $26.6MM trade exception created in last month’s three-team trade in which Utah dealt John Collins to the Clippers, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets.
It’s another salary dump for the Celtics, allowing them to fall significantly below the second tax apron.
Niang was acquired by Boston from the Hawks in the three-team Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster this offseason. Niang has an expiring $8.2MM contract for next season.
He’s been on the move quite a bit this year. He began last season with Cleveland and played 51 games for the Cavaliers, all but one off the bench, before getting dealt to Atlanta in February. Niang appeared in 28 games with the Hawks, including two starts. Overall, he averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.5 minutes last season.
Niang will provide Utah with another floor stretching big off the bench. He’s a career 39.9 percent 3-point shooter.
It will be his second stint with the Jazz, whom he played from 2017-21. They’re looking at him as a rotation piece and to add a veteran presence to their young core, Tony Jones of The Athletic tweets. The two sides have spoken, according to Jones, and Niang is happy and excited to be back in Utah.
Luis, an undrafted rookie out of St. John’s, was signed to a two-way contract. He’ll fill Boston’s open two-way spot, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith tweets. Boston reached an agreement with free agent forward Chris Boucher to take Niang’s spot on the 15-man roster.
According to cap expert Yossi Gozlan (Twitter link), the Celtics shed approximately $5oMM off their luxury tax bill with the Niang trade. They’re now just $1.7MM above the first apron and $9.4MM above the luxury tax line. They also created a $8.2MM trade exception.
Wow…niang POd the wrong people…
Oh he was getting sent somewhere before he opened his big cheap shoting gob. I’m sure Niang was angling for a buyout from Boston, lols. I hope Utah sit him on the bench. Like second row of the bench handing out water.
Nrg82, Why do you hate him so much? Lol
Because he’s dirty, constantly chirping and trying to be the tough guy. His bark is far bigger than his bite and game. E.g, grabbing Jaylen Browns knee from the bench during the playoffs. Bug diffence between playing hard and being dirty. Utah is a good place for him.
I think there are far better things to do than hate on a role player who probably will be playing ball overseas this time next year lol. It’s not like he stole money from anyone (Rozier).
You can think how you want, as can I. I don’t have to like him.
Why do you hold it against him? Jaylen Brown doesn’t. Brown says they work out together in the off season.
And signed Boucher….Stevens definitely has something cooking for Simons possibly Tillman or Queta involved. Not keen on watching Bouchers rainbows from deep, lols. Is what is with Tatum out. Glad Niang is gone. Dirty, fat and crap. Be getting bought out in Utah one would think.
They should keep him until the trade deadline.
An expiring salary of that size could get them another 2nd round pick in a trade, certainly combined with their trade exception.
Or maybe more depending on the salary/player they take back. Or if he has a good season until then.
I don’t know why they’d get rid of Queeta. He makes next to nothing, he just turned 26 and he’s been productive when on the floor.
@Luke, is there only a 30-day waiting period for two-way signees? Typically new contracts equal at least a wait until 12/15 to be trade eligible…
link to hoopsrumors.com
Rookies are 30 days.
Two-Ways aren’t Standard contracts (30 days).
Thanks @Real2K
Boucher is replacing Horford at the minimum. Incredible work. Could easily play another 3-4 years considering he was a late bloomer.
Stevens doesn’t F around. Celtics will be fun to watch next year. Boucher>Niang by a large margin and saves 5M to boot.
The lesser Ainge was right, the UTAH JAZZ are not tanking this year.
I agree Boucher is better than Niang. Plus you add 2 second rd picks. Nice get.
The Celtics traded Niang and the picks to Utah for an undrafted rookie.