The Boston Celtics are making significant changes to their roster by finalizing a three-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks and the Brooklyn Nets. The deal, as reported, sends Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks, along with a second-round draft pick. In exchange, the Celtics will receive Georges Niang and another second-round pick from Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Nets will acquire Terance Mann and the 22nd pick in the NBA Draft. They are gaining a first-round pick without giving up any players.
This trade comes just a day after the Celtics made another big move, trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and multiple future second-round picks. These trades seem to be part of a strategy by Boston to manage their salary cap, aiming to reduce their payroll below the NBA’s second tax apron of $207.8 million.
Boston’s decision to part ways with key players reflects a broader effort to reshape their team after a disappointing second-round playoff exit against the New York Knicks in the previous season. This loss was particularly heartbreaking as they were without All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, who suffered a significant Achilles injury.
Tatum’s injury is expected to keep him out for most, if not all, of the upcoming season, which has led the front office to reassess the team’s future. The Celtics appear to be moving on from some core members of their 2024 championship squad, including both Porzingis and Holiday, as they look to navigate their way through this challenging period.
Porzingis is entering the final year of a two-year, $60 million contract, which includes a salary of about $30.7 million for the coming season. Holiday, on the other hand, has three years left on a more substantial deal worth $134 million.
### Hawks Seize Opportunity for Improvement
While the Celtics are in a state of transition, the Hawks are seizing the moment to strengthen their roster. After finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference last season with a 40-42 record and failing to make the playoffs, Atlanta is looking to improve significantly. The addition of Porzingis is a key part of their strategy to move up in the standings.
Along with Porzingis, the Hawks anticipate bringing back Jalen Johnson to their starting lineup. Johnson had a promising start to last season, likely heading toward an All-Star selection, but an injury sidelined him in January. His return, along with Porzingis, offers the Hawks a renewed sense of hope.
However, there are concerns regarding Porzingis’s health, as he has struggled with injuries in the past. He played just 57 and 42 games in his last two seasons with Boston. When healthy, though, he is a strong two-way player, averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last season, with impressive shooting percentages of 48.3% from the field and 41.2% from beyond the arc.
### Looking Ahead
The projected starting line-up for Atlanta now looks much more competitive. It includes Porzingis, Johnson, four-time All-Star point guard Trae Young, last year’s top draft pick Zaccharie Risacher, and Defensive Player of the Year finalist Dyson Daniels. This restructured line-up poses an intriguing challenge for other teams in the Eastern Conference, especially as the conference appears to be more open for competition this season.
As the Celtics focus on restructuring their roster amid uncertainties regarding Tatum’s recovery, the Hawks are eager to take advantage of their situation. Whether this shift leads to greater success for either team remains to be seen, but both franchises are keenly aware of the stakes as they prepare for the upcoming NBA season.
The Celtics aim to revitalize their squad for future championship runs, while the Hawks hope their new additions can elevate them back into playoff contention. The developments in the coming weeks will be crucial for both teams as they navigate this pivotal off-season.
