First it was Jrue Holiday. Then, Kristaps Porzingis.
In the span of less than 24 hours, the defending champions have traded away two key pieces from their 2024 title run.
After sending Holiday to Portland Trail Blazers earlier, the Celtics followed it up in dealing Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade that also included the Brooklyn Nets, according to NBA senior insider Shams Charania.
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, sources tell @ShamsCharania.… pic.twitter.com/rMCVVuA0pP
— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2025
In the deal, the Hawks received the 7-foot-3 Porzingis and a second-round pick. The Nets picked up guard Terance Mann and the 22nd overall selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, while the Celtics landed forward Georges Niang and another second-round pick.
It marked Boston’s second major offseason move after trading away Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers to get scoring guard Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.
[ALSO READ: Two-time champ Jrue Holiday heads to Portland as Boston gets Anfernee Simons, picks—reports]
Together, the trades help the Celtics shed nearly $180 million in projected luxury tax payments, as per NBA senior insider Bobby Marks. They now sit below the league’s second tax apron and could even avoid the luxury tax altogether this season.
Boston was expected to cut costs this summer, especially after superstar Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in the second round of the playoffs and is likely to miss most, if not all, of the 2025–26 season.
[ALSO READ: Celtics star Jayson Tatum undergoes surgery after suffering season-ending Achilles injury]
The trade also ends Kristaps Porzingis’ two-year stint in Boston. The Latvian big man averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and shot a career-best 41.2% from beyond the arc last season, but was limited to just 42 regular-season games due to injuries.
For the Hawks, the move adds a proven frontcourt piece alongside Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu and reigning top overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.
Porzingis, who's on a $30.7 million expiring contract, could become a long-term fit in Atlanta, which also has key offseason decisions looming with franchise star Trae Young and reigning Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels — both eligible for contract extensions.
Meanwhile, the Nets continue to stockpile picks, adding another first-rounder to bring their total to five on the upcoming two-night draft: nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, and 27.
The 22nd pick originally belonged to the Lakers before landing in Atlanta as part of last year's Dejounte Murray trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.
