NBA Trade Report: Atlanta Hawks acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade

The Boston Celtics had a poor 2024–25 National Basketball Association (NBA) season by their high standards. They were expected to be serious contenders to defend their title, having entered the season as the reigning champions.

However, they suffered an early playoff exit at the hands of the New York Knicks. Following this, the Celtics’ management has already made moves—first by trading veteran guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, and now by reportedly trading center Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team deal that will give the Brooklyn Nets another first-round selection in the NBA Draft.

The news was first reported by NBA insider and ESPN’s Shams Charania. According to reports, the three-team deal involves the Hawks receiving Porzingis and a second-round pick from the Celtics; Terance Mann and Atlanta’s No. 22 pick going to the Nets; and Georges Niang along with a second-round pick heading to the Celtics.

The Celtics were understood to be eager to make trades, considering they have one of the highest payrolls in the NBA and needed to reduce spending while remaining championship contenders. The Holiday and Porzingis trades are expected to save the Celtics $180 million in luxury taxes, reducing what was projected to be a $500 million outlay in combined payroll and taxes.

These trades have also ensured that the Celtics are now below the second luxury tax apron and provide them with flexibility to acquire players—especially important as they will be without star player Jayson Tatum for most of next season while he recovers from an Achilles injury.

Boston will always be special in my heart.
Huge thank you to the organization, coaches, staff, my teammates and the fans!
Class organization. Forever grateful. pic.twitter.com/z1KhKocN1I

— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) June 25, 2025

Porzingis, meanwhile, posted solid numbers last season when healthy, averaging 19.5 points per game while shooting a career-best 41.2 percent from three-point range, along with 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 42 games. He played a key role in helping the Celtics win the 2024 NBA Championship and is set to make $30.7 million next season on an expiring contract.

Selected as the fourth overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 2015 NBA Draft, Porzingis brings vast experience, having also played for the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards in addition to the Celtics. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2016 and earned an NBA All-Star nod in 2018.

The veteran center took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) after news of his trade broke, stating:

“Boston will always be special in my heart. Huge thank you to the organization, coaches, staff, my teammates, and the fans! Class organization. Forever grateful.”

He now joins an Atlanta squad featuring All-Star guard Trae Young, NBA Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher, among others.

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