The Boston Celtics are buying and selling Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz for rookie RJ Luis Jr., sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday.
Niang’s greater than $8 million wage will go into Utah’s commerce exception from the John Collins deal.
In a associated transfer, the Celtics have agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million cope with free agent ahead Chris Boucher, agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation informed Charania.
The Niang commerce allowed Boston the pliability to stay beneath the second apron after including Boucher. They’re now $7.8 million beneath the second apron after each strikes and saved $34 million in luxurious tax penalties.
For the reason that NBA draft, the Celtics have diminished their payroll from $540 million to $239 million.
Boucher, whose cope with Boston is assured, could have a big position within the Celtics’ frontcourt. He departs Toronto the place he has the all-time franchise file in factors, rebounds, blocks, minutes and video games performed off the bench. He additionally was the Raptors’ final remaining member of their 2019 NBA championship group.
Niang, 32, was acquired by the Celtics within the Kristaps Porzingis commerce with the Atlanta Hawks. He returns now to Utah, the place he spent 4 seasons from 2017-2021.
Niang is a profession 39.9% 3-point shooter on greater than 4 makes an attempt per sport and is coming into his tenth season within the league.
Lewis, 22, went undrafted out of St. John’s earlier than signing a two-way cope with the Jazz.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks contributed to this report.