Celtics Sacrifice Niang in a Strategic Move
The Boston Celtics have finalized a trade involving Georges Niang and two future second-round picks, sending them to the Utah Jazz. In return, they receive rookie RJ Luis Jr., as announced on Tuesday.
The transfer of Niang’s salary, which exceeds $8 million, will be integrated into Utah’s trade exception from the John Collins deal.
Simultaneously, the Celtics have agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with free agent forward Chris Boucher, according to Sam Permut, agent for Roc Nation.
This move allowed Boston to stay below the second salary cap, after Boucher’s incorporation. Currently, they are 7.8 million dollars below this limit and have achieved a saving of 34 million dollars in luxury taxes.
From the NBA draft, the Celtics have managed to reduce their payroll from 540 million to 239 million dollars.
Boucher, whose contract with Boston is guaranteed, will assume an important role in the Celtics’ frontcourt. He leaves Toronto, where he holds the franchise’s all-time record for points, rebounds, blocks, minutes played, and games played off the bench. In addition, he was the last member of the Raptors who was part of the 2019 NBA championship team.
Niang, 32, arrived at the Celtics in the trade of Kristaps Porzingis with the Atlanta Hawks. Now he returns to Utah, where he played four seasons, from 2017 to 2021.
In his career, Niang has a 39.9% average in three-point shots with more than four attempts per game and is about to start his tenth season in the league.
Luis, 22 years old, was not selected in the draft, but signed a dual contract with the Jazz.
