The Celtics made another move to shave more salary. The C’s traded veteran Georges Niang and two second-round picks to the Jazz, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. In the deal, the Celtics get rookie RJ Luis Jr., who was signed to Utah on a two-way contract.
In a following deal, the Celtics signed Chris Boucher to a one-year contract. They had another roster spot open, and considering Boucher signs for $3.3 million, the C’s end up saving money with the pair of moves.
Niang was originally acquired by the Celtics in the Kristaps Porzingis deal with the Hawks. Boston did need to part with a pair of second-round picks in the Niang deal.
Luis, 22, started his career with UMass before transferring to St. John’s for the past two seasons. He went undrafted in the recent 2025 draft before landing with the Jazz. Since Luis is on a two-way contract, the Celtics were able to shave off Niang’s entire contract, though Boucher’s new contract is now on the books.
Niang returns to the Jazz, where he played from 2017-21 as a veteran presence. Of note, this is the first time former Celtics executive Austin Ainge made a deal with former team in Boston.
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