The deal, finalized just ahead of the NBA Draft, marks a significant shift for all three franchises and signals Boston’s intent to reset its roster and financial outlook following a turbulent end to their championship defense.

Trade details and key pieces

The full structure of the trade is as follows:

• Atlanta Hawks receive Kristaps Porziņģis and a future second-round pick from Boston.
• Brooklyn Nets acquire Terance Mann and the No. 22 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (originally from the Lakers, via Atlanta).
• Boston Celtics get Georges Niang and a future second-round pick from Atlanta.

Porziņģis, who averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds last season, joins his fourth team in five years and will now pair with Trae Young in Atlanta’s frontcourt. Despite being slowed by illness and injuries during the Celtics’ playoff run, he remains a high-impact scorer and floor spacer, and is expected to play for Latvia at EuroBasket this summer.

For Boston, the deal brings in veteran shooter Georges Niang on an $8.2 million expiring contract, providing the Celtics with additional depth and salary cap relief.

The trade, combined with Boston’s earlier move sending Jrue Holiday to Portland, drops the Celtics below the NBA’s punitive second apron, saving the franchise tens of millions in luxury tax penalties and offering more roster flexibility as they navigate Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery.

Brooklyn, meanwhile, now holds five first-round picks in this year’s draft, positioning the Nets as a major player in the draft and potential trade market.

Financial strategy and future implications

The Celtics’ dual trades of Porziņģis and Holiday are clear signals of a new financial and roster strategy. With Tatum expected to miss significant time next season, Boston prioritized flexibility and avoided the harshest luxury tax restrictions by moving two of their highest-paid players. These deals save the Celtics an estimated $180–200 million in projected tax penalties and future salary commitments.

Importantly, Boston managed to execute these moves without having to trade Jaylen Brown or Derrick White so far, keeping their All-Star wing core intact for now. The expiring contracts acquired in both trades—Niang and Anfernee Simons—leave the Celtics with options for future moves as the team assesses its direction post-championship.

Hawks and Nets: new directions

With his expiring $30.7 million contract, the Hawks can evaluate whether to extend the Latvian or pivot again next summer. His shooting and size could complement Trae Young, who is recovering from injury, as the Hawks look to retool around their star guard.

The Nets, flush with draft capital, are now well-positioned to either move up in the draft or package picks for established talent, accelerating their rebuild or pivoting toward immediate contention.

As the dust settles, the Porziņģis trade stands as a defining move of the 2025 offseason, with ramifications that will ripple across the Eastern Conference for seasons to come.