The Boston Celtics have continued their strategic offseason maneuvering, trading recently acquired forward Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz. In return, the Celtics will receive rookie guard-forward RJ Luis Jr., a move primarily driven by financial flexibility under the NBA’s increasingly restrictive collective bargaining agreement.
The trade, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, provides significant financial relief for the reigning champions. By sending out Niang’s expiring $8.2 million contract, the Celtics make a substantial dent in their luxury tax obligations. According to ESPN’s cap expert Bobby Marks, the deal slashes Boston’s projected luxury tax bill from $73.1 million to $30.4 million, a savings of over $42 million. Crucially, this move also positions the Celtics approximately $10.2 million below the second apron of the luxury tax, giving the front office greater flexibility for future transactions.
Niang, a Methuen, Massachusetts native, had a brief and uneventful tenure in Boston, having been acquired earlier in the offseason as part of the three-team trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. He now joins the Jazz, who absorbed his salary using a portion of the $26.6 million trade exception created in the John Collins deal. For Utah, the trade adds a veteran sharpshooter and two valuable second-round draft picks to their rebuilding war chest.
The centerpiece of the return for Boston is RJ Luis Jr., a 22-year-old wing with a compelling collegiate resume. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 215 pounds, Luis brings size and scoring potential to the Celtics’ developmental pipeline. After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Jazz in June, which will now transfer to the Celtics.
Luis began his college career at UMass, where he earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Freshman Team for the 2022-23 season, averaging 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He then transferred to St. John’s, where he blossomed under the guidance of legendary coach Rick Pitino.
After a solid first season with the Red Storm, Luis exploded in his junior year. In the 2023-24 campaign, he became one of the nation’s top players, posting impressive averages of 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 35 games. His outstanding performance earned him a slew of accolades, including Big East Player of the Year, Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and a Consensus Second-Team All-American selection.
Despite his decorated college career, Luis was not selected in the draft, allowing the Jazz to sign him as a free agent. Now, he finds himself with the defending champions, a team that has shown a knack for developing overlooked talent.
This trade represents a calculated move for both franchises. The Jazz continue to accumulate assets and add functional veterans, while the Celtics masterfully navigate the league’s complex financial landscape. Boston sheds significant salary to avoid the harsh penalties of the second apron while simultaneously acquiring a promising young player with a high ceiling. While Niang never played a minute for the Celtics, his contract became a valuable tool for a front office focused on sustaining a championship-caliber roster for the long term.
