The Boston Celtics have been rumored to be looking to pull the trigger on another trade to get them some “salary cap” breathing room. Well, mission accomplished as the Celtics cleared more salary from the 2025-26 ledger earlier tonight by sending Georges Niang to Utah. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Celtics will also send two future second-round draft picks to the Jazz in exchange for rookie RJ Luis Jr.
NBA Trade Grades: Celtics Get More Cap Relief While Jazz Keep Adding More Assets & What’s Next For Each Squad
Boston, coming off a challenging and disappointing conclusion to its NBA title defense, has re-tooled its roster for the upcoming season. With their third trade of the offseason, the Celtics shed about $50 million off their projected tax bill as they moved to $1.7 million above the first apron and $9.4 million above the luxury tax line, per NBA tax expert Yossi Gozlan.
Niang never suited up for the Celtics, who acquired the 6-7 forward via the Kristap Porzingis three-team trade. Niang is coming off one of his best seasons of his career as he averaged 9.9 points,3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 79 appearances for Cleveland and Atlanta. The 32-year-old is due $8.2 million in 2025-26.
Luis went undrafted in this past June’s draft despite being one of the best two-way guards in college basketball. However, the 6-7 guard does have some baggage and is not a good shooter. He signed a two-way deal with the Jazz in early July. However, he didn’t play for the Jazz summer league squad due to knee soreness.
Luis is slated to fill the Celtics’ last two-way spot, Sportac’s Keith Smart tweeted.
“RJ Luis is signed to a two-year two-way contract,” Smart said. “He’ll fill the Celtics’ open two-way spot. Boston’s other two current two-way players are Miles Norris and rookie Max Shulga.”
What Does The Trade Mean For The Celtics
Niang is projected to be in the mix for frontcourt minutes with the Celtics. But Boston needed to upgrade its frontcourt and create more cap space. With the trade, the Celtics also created another open spot on their 15-man roster as Luis is slated to fill the Celtics’ last two-way spot.
While the Celtics are plush with wings, Luis does have the potential to be a useful addition this year. As the 22-year-old could provide the Celtics a scoring punch off the bench. Jaylen Brown or Baylor Scheierman are the only wings on the Celtics roster who have demonstrated the capability of putting the ball in the hoop consistently.
Besides creating an open roster spot, filling their minor league spots, and clearing salary room, Boston also got an $8.2 trade exception that they can use over the next year to improve their roster.
What Is Next For The Celtics
The Celtics wasted little time filling the roster spot that Niang previously held. The Celtics announced the signing of veteran big man Chris Boucher shortly after dealing Niang. Boucher will make $3.3 million with his one-year deal, Charania tweeted. However, the 32-year-old will only count $2.29 million against the cap. Thus, the Celtics essentially efficiently save $5.9 million in the two moves.
Boucher is a better fit for the Celtics than Niang. The Celtics needed to add rebounding and size, as well as post scoring. He has developed into a fantastic finisher at the rim over the last two seasons. Boucher is expected to compete for significant minutes at power forward and center.
Boston still has an open standard roster spot. The Celtics now are S7.8 million under the second apron. So, the Celtics are likely to fill their 15th spot. Charles Bassey, Ben Simmons, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. are reportedly players that the Celtics are interested in.
Trade Grade: A
What Does The Trade Mean For The Jazz
Utah continues to add assets to absorb contracts that other teams don’t want. However, this trade feels a little bit different.
Niang is a quality role player, and Tony Jones of The Athletic is reporting that the Jazz are considering him as a rotational piece. Niang, who previously spent four seasons in Utah, is an excellent catch-and-shoot player and a career 40% shooter from beyond the arc.
“The Jazz are trading for Niang to have him play and add a veteran presence to their young core,” Jones tweeted. “The two sides have spoken, sources say, and Niang is happy and excited to be back in Utah.”
Niang is on an expiring contract. The Jazz didn’t give up anything for him except for a long-term prospect, and they received more draft assets. The Jazz used a portion of the trade exception that they acquired from trading John Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers. They are still about half a million below the salary cap threshold of $154.6 million. So, they have all the necessary tools to make a big-time trade at some point this season, if that is what they choose to do.
What Is Next For The Jazz
It is unknown what direction the Jazz is taking this season. However, they appear to be continuing to build for the future and didn’t add any future cap money beyond this season.
The two second-round draft picks that the Jazz will receive have not been disclosed. But those selections are not expected to be conveyed in the near future. The Celtics are not guaranteed to have a second-round pick until 2030.
Any future asset is valuable for Utah, as evidenced by recent developments. Before this trade, the Jazz only had two second-round selections on the books, 2027 (via the Clippers) and 2029. They do have a wealth of future first-round picks.
Utah has 16 players on standard contracts. So, the Jazz will need to make a roster move before opening night. KJ Martin, who has a nonguaranteed deal, is the likely odd man out. Although NBA Insider Marc Stein reported a few days ago that Kevin Love is “actively exploring” ways to get out of Utah.
With Luis in Boston, the Jazz have an open two-way spot. Oscar Tshiebwe, who was on a minor league deal with the Jazz last season, still has a qualifying offer from the Jazz.
Trade Grade: A
Photo Credit: Dale Zanine, Imagn Images
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