The most important return for the Celtics during Tuesday’s three-team trade centered on Kristaps Porzingis revolves around Boston shedding payroll and getting under the restrict second apron of the NBA’s luxury-tax structure.
But Boston also secured a pair of assets as part of the trade, landing forward Georges Niang and a second-round pick as part of the return for Porzinigis.
Even though Niang, 32, doesn’t present the same unique skillset that made Porzingis such a coveted asset in Boston, the local product could develop into a useful bench piece for the Celtics in 2025-26.
Here are four things to know about Niang:
He’s a productive bench piece
When healthy, Porzingis made the Celtics a matchup nightmare in just about every facet of the game due to his length (7-foot-2), post game, rim protection, and ability to sink 3-point shots.