Report: Celtics, Hawks, networks that finalize the three -team trade that sends Porzingis to Atlanta
When he was looking for ways to cut the payroll, Boston’s final goal was to find a team willing to face Kristaps Porzingis, with all his potential and his $ 30.7 million contract. Enter the Atlanta Hawks.
The Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks have agreed on a trade in three teams that shakes like this (And it was broken by Shams Charania of Athletic)
Atlanta receives: Kristaps Porzingis, a choice of the second round
Brooklyn receives: Terance Mann, Choice n. 22 In this draft (the choice of the Lakers, which belonged to Atlanta)
Boston receives: Georges Niang, choice of the second round
Porzingis brings size, external shots and defensive presence, which could use all the Hawks, also brings a huge risk of injury. Porzingis has reached the game in 65 games once in the last 10 seasons and his wounds have often passed to the playoffs (he has lost the final games also during the race of the 2024 of the Celtics). Last season, he scored on average 19.5 points per game, shooting 41.2% from 3 points, plus 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He has a game that would integrate Trae Young (which is recovering from his serious injury).
It is a dice shot from the Hawks, but the price was so low that the risk was worth. The most interesting question is if the Hawks will extend Porzingis (more years to almost $ 35 million per year) or are they risking to let him walk after a season? The answer can reveal something
on the new front office and its plans in Atlanta.
Brooklyn now has five choices in the first round (16.7% of all the first rounds): nn. 8, 19, 22, 26 and 27. You keep an eye on while the nets tried to exchange.
Boston saves money. A lot of money. If someone wonders what I wait for the second apron, that’s this. Between this trade and The Jrue holiday tradeThe Celtics have spared $ 180 million in salary and luxury tax payments (there are only around $ 27 million in effective salary, but due to the second apron and the repetition tax, the savings are exponential). The Celtics are now under the feared according to apron. Perhaps Boston would have recited differently in this low season if Jayson Tatum had not torn his Achilles and Celtics had made a deeper race of the playoffs, but this is the new reality for the Celtics fans. Boston is also receiving calls from other teams asking for Jaylen Brown.
Niang is also a solid rotational pickup, the type of player that Celtics fans will love.