Printed on: Aug 06, 2025 02:56 am IST
The Boston Celtics made two large strikes to strengthen their frontcourt – including rookie RJ Luis Jr and free agent ahead Chris Boucher to their roster.
The Boston Celtics have made two large offensive strikes, inside minutes, to strengthen their frontcourt – including rookie RJ Luis Jr and free agent ahead Chris Boucher to their roster. Joe Mazzulla and co have dealt recently-acquired Georges Niang to the Utah Jazz, in line with ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Charania added that Georges Niang’s contract will likely be absorbed into the Celtics’ sizable commerce exception from the John Collins deal, giving Boston added wage flexibility beneath the league’s second apron threshold.
Niang, 32, departs for the Western Convention after a short stint in Boston. The Massachusetts native joined the workforce simply days after the 2024-25 season concluded. He and a future second-round choose had been traded to the Celtics in a three-team commerce that despatched Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round choose to the Atlanta Hawks, and Terance Mann and Drake Powell’s commerce rights to the Brooklyn Nets.
RJ Luis Jr, who went undrafted within the 2025 NBA Draft, had an elite season in St John. The rookie averaged 18.2 factors per recreation, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals whereas capturing 43.9 p.c from the sphere and 33.6 p.c from past the arc.
Chris Boucher addresses Boston’s want when it comes to dimension. They misplaced three of their key large man this summer time. The 32-year-old has executed properly with the Toronto Raptors in the previous couple of seasons. The veteran ahead was the final member of the 2018-19 championship workforce.
Final season, he averaged 10.0 factors per recreation, 4.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.5 blocks whereas capturing 49.2 p.c from the sphere.
Commenting on Boston’s Tuesday strikes, one fan tweeted: “So the Celtics principally traded Georges Niang and two second-round picks for Chris Boucher and RJ Luis Jr.”
“RJ Luis Jr is a Dominican child who grew up in Miami. Performed 1 yr at UMass Amherst then the final 3 years at St John’s. His senior yr he performed for Rick Pitino and was Massive East Participant Of The 12 months 👀🍿☘️” one other one added on X, platform previously often called Twitter.
