The Boston Celtics are sending star center Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a massive three-team trade.
The deal sends Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Hawks, Terance Mann and Atlanta’s No. 22 pick to the Brooklyn Nets, and Georges Niang and a second-rounder to the Celtics.
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
BREAKING: Boston, Atlanta and Brooklyn are finalizing a three-team trade that sends Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Hawks, Terance Mann and Atlanta’s No. 22 pick to the Nets, and Georges Niang and a second-rounder to the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/1fcbIslyVF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025
Prior to the offseason, questions surrounding Porzingis’ future with the team continued to mount. With Boston navigating a tight financial situation and looking to avoid surpassing key salary thresholds, some tough calls were inevitable — and the front office has already made a couple within a matter of days.
This trade now puts the Celtics out of the salary cap’s second apron.
On Monday night, the Celtics sent veteran guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.
With the Celtics now moving on from Porzingis and Holiday trades, Boston saves a projected $180M in tax penalties.
Boston successfully avoids the second apron, secures major tax relief, and gains flexibility to retain key pieces of their roster. They’re also now in a position to potentially re-sign veterans like Al Horford and Luke Kornet, should they decide to bring them back.
That’s on the side of the Celtics. As for the Nets, they hold five first-round picks in this year’s draft. Brooklyn owns the No.8, No. 19, No. 22, No. 26 and the No. 27 picks in Wednesday’s draft.
As for the Hawks, they quickly emerged as serious trade suitors for the champion big man. Atlanta gets the best player in the deal, and he stays in the Eastern Conference.
Porzingis just wrapped up a difficult second season in Boston, one marred by injuries and inconsistency. It was far from the campaign the Celtics hoped for from their big man.
In two years with the Celtics, Porzingis has suited up for just 99 of a possible 164 games. Down the stretch and into the playoffs, he was also hampered by a puzzling illness that clearly impacted his effectiveness.
Despite the limited availability, Porzingis’ production on the floor has been nothing short of strong. He averaged 19.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from beyond the arc.
More Celtics news: Celtics Send Jrue Holiday to Blazers for Anfernee Simons in Blockbuster Trade
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