The Boston Celtics are not kidding around when it comes to saving money right on the heels of Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear during the playoffs.
The team traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, shedding both immediate and long-term money by taking back Anfernee Simons.
Now, the Celtics are sending center Kristaps Porziņģis and a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal with the Brooklyn Nets that sees Boston taking back the contract of Georges Niang ($8.2 million) and a second-rounder, meaning they clear over $22 million off Porziņģis’ $30.7 million salaty.
So, how did the Celtics manage to do that?
That’s where the Nets come into play because they had oodles of cap space coming into the summer.
The Nets are taking on the contract of Terance Mann ($15.5 million), fully absorbing him into their available cap space and taking the 22nd overall selection in Wednesday’s NBA Draft from Atlanta as compensation for it.
So, let’s get into the motivations for each of the three teams.
We already outlined Boston wants to save money, which is certainly achieved here. The organization has seemingly managed to get under the second apron, meaning their tax bill will lessen dramatically.
The Nets are basically renting out their cap space for the 22nd pick and acting as the oil between the Celtics and Hawks. This gives the Nets a grand total of five first-round selections in Wednesday’s draft: Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26 and 27.
And, ah yes, the Hawks. They did this to get some legitimate size. While Onyeka Okongwu has fared admirably in the froncourt, they needed someone taller who can protect the rim better.
Enter Porziņģis, a 7-foot-3 unicorn who spaces the floor and shoots 3-pointers with ease — when healthy. The Latvian center will make a highly intriguing passing target for point guard Trae Young and should help improve their defense. But Porziņģis has averaged 52.5 regular-season games the past six seasons because of various injuries, and that’s buoyed by a 65-game season in 2022-23.
The Hawks have suddenly become a huge team. Outside of the 6-1 Young, they’ll be starting 6-8 Dyson Daniel’s at off guard, 6-10 Zaccharie Risacher at the three, 6-9 Jalen Johnson at the four and Porziņģis at the five.
That’s the allure for the Hawks. And to their credit, they identified a player who isn’t going to cost them a lot of future money. Porziņģis has an expiring contract, meaning the Hawks could try to extend him at a more reasonable number down the line.
No one came out of this looking desperate or relinquishing too much. Not a lot of long-term salary was involved, and the surrendered 22nd selection to Brooklyn is a late one.
This appears to be a solid round of business for all parties.
Nets: A
Celtics: B+
Hawks: B+
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