Breaking NBA Trade: Celtics & Jazz Swing a Deal

The Ainges in Utah have complete a trade with their alma mater, the Boston Celtics, as the Jazz receive Georges Niang and two future second-round picks for rookie RJ Luis Jr.

The Boston Celtics are trading Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz for rookie RJ Luis Jr., sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/l7h0cGobfU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 5, 2025

Niang returns to Utah, where he spent four seasons earlier in his career. As Shams Charania notes, the move allows the Celtics to have even more salary relief below the second apron.

They have already traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to extricate themselves from the second apron, now dealing Niang and his $8.2 million owed this coming season gives them some extra breathing room. They're now $10 million clear of the dreaded second apron, and only $1.8 million above the first apron.

Niang was actually the return for Boston in the Porzingis trade a couple of months ago, so the 32-year-old Massachusetts native never even got a chance to wear the Celtics colors.

He has averaged 40% from three-point land in his nine-year career, and shot 40.6% last year in a season split between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged a career high 9.9 points per game, and in his 28 contests with the Hawks, he had even more of an impact, averaging 12.1 points in 23 minutes per game.

Niang is a solid floor-spacer in the league, and is also known for his hustle.