The Boston Celtics have been among the most active teams in the NBA during the 2025 offseason. While others have been buyers, however, the Celtics have committed to more of a seller's mentality as they plan to overcome Jayson Tatum's projected absence.
One of the landscape-altering trades that Boston completed has been effectively finalized on its end, with the return for Kristaps Porzingis all but officially decided.
The Celtics shipped Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade that included the Brooklyn Nets. In it, the Nets received Terrance Mann and the No. 22 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and the Hawks brought in Porzingis and a 2026 second-round draft pick via the Celtics.
Boston, meanwhile, received Georges Niang and a 2031 second-round draft pick—assets that have since been flipped in a deal for undrafted rookie RJ Luis Jr..
The two second-round picks Boston is sending Utah as part of the Georges Niang-for-RJ Luis Jr. trade are the 2027 most favorable between the Celtics/Magic, and the 2031 most favorable between the Celtics/Cavaliers, per source.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) August 6, 2025
It's possible that Boston's own 2031 second-round draft pick will be the more favorable of the two, and will thus be sent to Utah instead, but the Celtics have essentially swapped Porzingis for an undrafted rookie and what's amounted to the internal equivalent of a potential second-round pick swap.
Celtics effectively traded Kristaps Porzingis for RJ Luis Jr.
The Celtics' decision to trade Porzingis represented a clear commitment to building for a less prohibited future. It's unclear what that will translate to on the court, but the financial element of the deal was seemingly the driving force behind it.
By trading Porzingis for a return that now amounts to an undrafted rookie, the Celtics have all but entirely removed nearly $31 million from their salary cap table.
Porzingis will make an expiring $30,731,707 this coming season before entering unrestricted free agency in 2026. That offered some resistance among Boston fans who were hoping to see the franchise trade the All-Star big man for a more influential immediate return.
Instead, the Celtics appear to have operated in respect to the aprons and prioritized the immediate avoidance of potential penalties.
By trading Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, the Celtics have positioned themselves to operate under the second apron. It was an essential step to avoid facing penalties such as the inability to trade first-round draft picks that are seven years into the future.
It's also worth noting that any team that finds itself in the second apron in three out of five years will see its next first-round draft pick moved to the end of Round 1.
Rather than risking such results after losing Tatum to a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Celtics have protected their trade and draft options. That should enable the front office to potentially become active on the open market ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
Regardless of what Boston does, the Porzingis trade has been effectively finalized on their end with a return of Luis, cash considerations, and a now outgoing second-round draft pick.