The Boston Celtics recently had to part ways with Kristaps Porzingis in the process of their ongoing salary-shedding efforts. In the trade for Porzingis, the Celtics acquired Boston native Georges Niang, who is fully aware of the situation he will be stepping into.
In a recent appearance on “The OGs” podcast, Niang admitted that he wasn’t going to get any love from Celtics fans, even as a local. He said:
“I’m a Boston kid. I then get traded for Kristaps Porzingis. You know how tough Boston fans are. They don’t give a s**t if I’m from Boston or not, they’re like, “You just took our unicorn and replaced it with a minivan. Get the f**k out of here.”
Celtics fans are known for their brutal honesty. They are unforgiving of underperformers, but deeply loyal to those who deliver. As a player who helped deliver a title to the city, Porzingis had undoubtedly become a beloved figure among the public.
Letting go of Porzingis was not a decision the front office took lightly. With the second apron looming, the Celtics president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, had to make some tough calls.
These decisions also involved parting ways with a two-time champion and All-Star guard in Jrue Holiday. With two of their finest players gone from the roster, the Celtics cleared a significant amount of cap space. But the cost has been significant, as Boston’s overall roster strength has significantly diminished.
The team’s ongoing efforts with roster construction inspire some hope for future campaigns nonetheless. Stevens addressed that the Celtics have planned to sign hardworking and talented young players, who routinely outperform their contracts. He presented the signings of Josh Minott and Luka Garza as examples of this.
Given his commitment to the team and its plans, Niang acknowledged that he would have to bring something to the table. He said:
“It was like, ‘Okay, Georges, now what can you do to maximize what you have to help them win games?’ Because you don’t want to be in Boston when you’re losing. That’s for sure. So that’s how I’ve transitioned my mindset.”
Niang adds value in a more limited role compared to Porzingis. At 6’7″, he is significantly smaller and doesn’t contribute much defensively. But on the offensive end, his capability as a three-point shooter could be immensely valuable next season.
Last season, the forward recorded an average of 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 46.1% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range. Given that the Celtics are known to heavily rely on the three-point shot in their half-court sets, Niang could be a solid contributor.
The Celtics’ prospects for next season are uncertain. But with the right additions this year, Boston could be poised for a huge resurgence next season once Jayson Tatum returns to the floor.
