A three-team trade was finalized on Tuesday involving the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. According to sources, the Boston Celtics sent center Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round draft pick to the Hawks. In return, the Nets received Terance Mann and Atlanta`s 22nd overall pick, while the Celtics acquired Georges Niang and another second-round pick.
This trade marked the second major transaction for the Celtics within a 24-hour period. The previous night, they had traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. Analysis by ESPN`s Bobby Marks indicates that these two deals combined will save the Celtics an estimated $180 million in luxury taxes, significantly reducing their projected total payroll and tax liability, which was initially forecast to exceed $500 million for the upcoming season.
Furthermore, sources reported that as part of the agreement, Boston will gain possession of Cleveland`s 2031 second-round pick, which the Hawks previously held. Atlanta, in turn, will receive Boston`s less favorable 2026 second-round selection.
Following these moves, Boston is now below the second luxury tax apron and potentially has a pathway to avoid the luxury tax altogether this season. These cost-saving strategies were anticipated for the Celtics this summer, particularly after Jayson Tatum`s Achilles injury during the second round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks. This financial repositioning also aligns with the likely impending approval of the team`s purchase by a new ownership group in the coming weeks.
Porzingis joins the Hawks after two productive seasons with Boston, where he achieved a career-high 41.2% shooting from three-point range and averaged over 19 points per contest. Provided he has recovered from the illness that affected his availability late in the regular season and throughout Boston`s recent playoff run, he is expected to be a valuable addition to Atlanta`s frontcourt rotation, complementing players like Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and the recent No. 1 overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher.
For the Hawks, this trade also creates potential for significant salary cap flexibility next summer, particularly by shedding Mann`s $15.5 million annual salary commitment for the next three seasons. Porzingis`s $30 million contract is expiring, opening up possibilities for Atlanta regarding his future with the team. Looking ahead, All-Star guard Trae Young has a player option, and guard Dyson Daniels, who was named the Most Improved Player last season, is also eligible for a contract extension this offseason.
From Brooklyn`s perspective, the compensation for taking on the remaining three years of Mann`s contract from Atlanta was acquiring the 22nd pick in the upcoming draft. This pick originally belonged to the Lakers and was conveyed to the Hawks as part of last summer`s Dejounte Murray trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.
As a result of this trade and previous moves, Brooklyn now holds five first-round selections in Wednesday`s draft: picks 8, 19, 22, 26, and 27. The Nets also maintain significant salary cap flexibility this summer. Since Brooklyn is utilizing cap space to facilitate this transaction, the trade cannot be formally completed until the new league year commences on July 6th.
