The NBA offseason is heating up with a blockbuster three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn Nets that is already shaking up the league's landscape. On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Celtics sent star center Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Hawks, while the Hawks shipped Terance Mann and their No. 22 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Nets. Meanwhile, the Celtics received veteran shooter Georges Niang and a second-round pick, completing a deal that carries significant financial and roster implications for all parties involved.
This trade marks the second major move for the Celtics in less than 24 hours, following Monday evening’s blockbuster deal that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. Collectively, these trades have allowed Boston to slash approximately $180 million in luxury tax penalties, dramatically reducing what was initially projected to be a combined payroll and luxury tax burden exceeding $500 million for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
Boston’s front office was under pressure to make tough decisions, especially after star forward Jayson Tatum suffered a devastating Achilles tear during the second round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks, a blow that is expected to sideline him for the entire next season. The injury, coupled with the Celtics’ financial constraints, prompted a strategic pivot toward cost-cutting and roster restructuring. New ownership is also expected to finalize their purchase of the franchise soon, adding another layer of urgency to these moves.
Kristaps Porzingis, a towering 7-foot-2 center and former NBA champion with the Celtics, has been a key figure in Boston's recent success. Over his two seasons in Boston, Porzingis averaged 19.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game, boasting an impressive 50.2% field goal percentage and 39.2% accuracy from beyond the arc. Despite his strong production, Porzingis has struggled with injuries and a mysterious post-viral syndrome that hampered his endurance, limiting him to just 99 of a possible 164 regular-season games and affecting his playoff availability.
Atlanta views Porzingis as a valuable addition to their frontcourt, bringing both rim protection and floor spacing alongside promising young talents like Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher. Porzingis is entering an expiring contract season with a salary of approximately $30.7 million, offering the Hawks potential flexibility to negotiate a longer-term deal if he regains full health and form.
On the other side, the Hawks shipped out Terance Mann, a 29-year-old wing who had a resurgent stint with Atlanta after being acquired in February’s Bogdan Bogdanovic trade. Mann averaged 9.8 points on an efficient 54.1% shooting over 30 games with the Hawks. He is under contract through the 2027-28 season with a salary of $15.5 million annually, a significant commitment that the Hawks are willing to part with to create salary cap space for future moves. Mann now heads to Brooklyn, who also acquired Atlanta’s No. 22 overall pick in the draft as part of the deal.
Brooklyn’s haul from this trade is substantial. The Nets now hold an unprecedented five first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft—Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, and 27—giving them unmatched draft capital. No NBA franchise has ever held more than four first-round selections in a single draft. This stockpile provides Brooklyn with enormous flexibility, whether to select new talent or use the picks as assets in further trades. However, Nets General Manager Sean Marks has indicated that consolidation is likely, as utilizing all five picks would limit roster flexibility.
Georges Niang, the veteran sharpshooter heading to Boston, averaged 9.9 points per game last season and is seen as a useful piece for the Celtics’ evolving roster. Niang’s presence brings shooting depth and veteran savvy to a team that may undergo a different look next season due to Tatum’s absence and the recent roster moves.
From a strategic perspective, the Celtics have successfully maneuvered out of the NBA’s second luxury tax apron, a significant financial threshold that imposes punitive penalties on teams exceeding it. By shedding large contracts like those of Porzingis and Holiday, Boston now has the flexibility to potentially avoid luxury tax payments entirely this season. This financial breathing room could enable the Celtics to re-sign key veterans such as Al Horford and Luke Kornet, should they choose to bring them back, and to maintain a competitive roster despite the loss of their star forward.
For the Hawks, acquiring Porzingis signals a commitment to bolstering their frontcourt with a versatile, championship-proven big man. The trade also clears significant cap space by offloading Mann’s contract, positioning Atlanta for potential moves in the summer of 2026 when several key players, including All-Star guard Trae Young (who has a player option) and guard Dyson Daniels (due for a contract extension), will be in contract negotiations.
Brooklyn’s acquisition of Mann and the No. 22 pick aligns with their ongoing strategy to rebuild and retool their roster. Mann’s physicality and role-playing ability fit well within coach Jordi Fernandez’s system, and the added draft capital enhances the Nets’ options to pursue further trades or draft and develop young talent. This deal, the first of what promises to be a busy offseason for Brooklyn, sets the stage for continued roster reshaping as the draft approaches.
With the 2025 NBA Draft just hours away, the ripple effects of this three-team trade will be felt across the league. The Celtics have taken decisive steps to manage their salary cap and roster future, the Hawks have added a dynamic frontcourt presence, and the Nets have positioned themselves as a major player in the draft and trade market. As the new league year officially begins on July 6, the trade will become official, but its impact is already clear: the NBA offseason is in full swing, and the moves are only getting started.
