Celtics Reportedly Send Kristaps Porzingis To Hawks In Three-Team Trade
The Boston Celtics have traded away another star player, less than one day after Jrue Holiday was sent to the Portland Trail Blazers.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Celtics, Hawks, and Nets are finalizing a three-team trade that includes Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick to Atlanta. Brooklyn will receive Terance Mann and Atlanta’s No. 22 pick, while Boston gets Georges Niang and a second-rounder.
Porzingis and Holiday were the Celtics’ two most likely trade candidates, and Brad Stevens wasted no time. By moving Holiday, Boston saves just under $5 million, and as for Porzingis, he is entering the final year of his contract and is set to make around $30 million.
So, with these two moves, Boston is now under the second apron.
Clutch Points’ Brett Siegel reported before the trade that the Celtics had heard from 10-12 teams interested in Porzingis, specifically naming the New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Hawks, and Toronto Raptors. NBA Insider Jake Fischer added that the San Antonio Spurs also showed interest.
However, a deal was ultimately done with the Hawks, but they had to add the Nets into trade discussions because Porzingis’ salary didn’t fit into the team’s trade exception, Fischer added.
The Celtics are now without two members of the 2024 NBA Championship team, and they aren’t done yet.
That’s already two moves in less than 24 hours. So, what else does Stevens have up his sleeve this offseason? Could Jaylen Brown be next? What about Payton Pritchard or Luke Kornet?