NBA: Boston Celtics lead three-team trade for Kristaps Porzingis in bid to further reduce salary cap

The Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets have agreed to a three-team trade that will see Kristaps Porzingis head to the Atlanta Hawks.

As well as that blockbuster move, Terance Mann and the No.22 pick in the draft will be sent to the Brooklyn Nets, while Georges Niang arrives in Boston along with a second-rounder.

This is the second big move in less than a day for Boston. On Monday night, the Celtics dealt Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.

With the trades, Boston has reduced its tax burden by $180 million, a significant drop from what had been projected as a combined payroll and tax cost of over $500 million for the upcoming season.

The Celtics will receive a 2031 second-round pick originally owned by Cleveland but held by the Hawks, while Atlanta will acquire the least favourable of Boston’s 2026 second-round selections.

The moves bring Boston below the second luxury tax apron and possibly into position to exit the tax entirely this season. With Jayson Tatum sidelined due to an Achilles injury suffered during the second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, the Celtics were widely expected to pursue cost-cutting options.

Boston will always be special in my heart.
Huge thank you to the organization, coaches, staff, my teammates and the fans!
Class organization. Forever grateful. ☘️ pic.twitter.com/z1KhKocN1I

— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) June 25, 2025

Porzingis leaves Boston after two strong seasons, including a career-best 41.2% shooting from beyond the arc and over 19 points per game.

If he’s past the illness that disrupted the tail end of his regular season and postseason, he’s expected to be a strong fit in Atlanta’s frontcourt rotation alongside Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and last year’s top draft pick Zaccharie Risacher.

The Hawks also position themselves for future financial flexibility by moving Mann’s $15.5 million salary off their books. Porzingis, on a $30 million expiring contract, could become a long-term piece for Atlanta.

Brooklyn takes on Mann’s remaining three years and $46.5 million in salary, but the move was clearly about acquiring the 22nd overall pick. That selection originally belonged to the Los Angeles Lakers and came to Atlanta in the previous offseason’s Dejounte Murray trade involving the New Orleans Pelicans.

With this addition, the Nets now control five first-round picks heading into Wednesday’s draft – 8, 19, 22, 26, and 27.