The Boston Celtics have finalized a significant three-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets, which sees Kristaps Porzingis moving to the Hawks. This complex deal also includes a second-round draft pick from the Celtics to Atlanta, while the Hawks send Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft to the Nets. In return, the Celtics receive Georges Niang and another second-round selection from Atlanta. The Nets, remarkably, acquire a first-round pick without giving up any assets, though they take on Mann's three-year, $47 million contract.

This is the second major roster shake-up for the Celtics in as many days, following their trade of Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and future second-round picks. These moves are a strategic effort by the Celtics to bring their salaries below the NBA's punitive second tax apron of $207,825,000. In doing so, Boston is parting ways with core members of their 2024 NBA Championship team. Both Porzingis and Holiday were instrumental contributors to the franchise's first NBA title since 2008.

The Celtics' decision to dismantle parts of their championship roster stems from a disappointing end to their 2024-25 season, which culminated in a second-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks. A critical factor in this outcome was the severe injury to All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the series. This injury is expected to sideline Tatum for most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season, significantly dampening Boston's prospects for a repeat title run. Consequently, the Celtics seemingly concluded that operating above the second tax apron was no longer financially justifiable given their diminished championship hopes. Porzingis's contract alone was due for $30.7 million in the second year of his two-year, $60 million deal, while Holiday had three years remaining on his four-year, $134 million contract.

Boston's strategic financial maneuvering presents an opportunity for the Atlanta Hawks to strengthen their position in the Eastern Conference. Finishing ninth in the East last season with a 40-42 record and missing the playoffs after a play-in loss to the Miami Heat, the Hawks are looking to improve significantly. With the addition of Porzingis, Atlanta's roster projects to be considerably enhanced. Furthermore, forward Jalen Johnson, who was on an All-Star trajectory before a shoulder injury ended his season in January, is expected to return to the starting lineup, having missed the play-in game against Miami.

Kristaps Porzingis, while a two-way force, has historically struggled with injuries, playing in just 57 and 42 games in his two seasons with the Celtics. However, when healthy, he averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks last season, with impressive shooting percentages of 48.3% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range. He also notably won the 2023-24 NBA Championship with Boston. The Hawks' projected starting lineup now features Porzingis alongside Johnson, four-time All-Star point guard Trae Young, last year's No. 1 draft pick Zaccharie Risacher, and Defensive Player of the Year finalist Dyson Daniels. This lineup holds considerable promise for Atlanta as they aim to contend in a weakened Eastern Conference.