The Celtics made their second big trade of the offseason as they were able to offload Kristaps Porzingis’ contract in a three-team deal. The C’s agreed to a deal with the Hawks and Nets that will send Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Hawks. The Nets will get Terance Mann and the Hawks’ No. 22 overall pick.
In the deal, the Celtics will get Georges Niang and a second-round pick. The move was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal comes less than a day after the Celtics shipped Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers in their first big trade of the offseason.
Porzingis was long considered to be a trade candidate from Boston this offseason. Now, he’ll head to Atlanta, who was looking for a potential center this summer. This trade is also financially focused as the Celtics get out from above the second apron.
The Celtics did some serious work in reducing salary with the deal, trimming $22.5 million in salary for next season by dropping down from Porzingis’ $30 million salary to Niang at $8.2 million. Boston was able to make the deal since the Nets had significant cap room available, allowing them to absorb another contract the Hawks were sending out (Terance Mann) as part of the deal.
The Celtics now are clear of the second apron by $4 million, reducing their payroll commitments for next season down to $203 million. However, Boston still remains $16 million over the luxury tax so the team could still continue to deal if they want to reduce their tax burden.