NBA World Reacts to Blockbuster Three-Team Kristaps Porzingis Trade

Yet another big move for the C's.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis on May 7, 2025. / David Butler II-Imagn Images

The NBA offseason continues to offseason.

Not even 24 hours after the Boston Celtics agreed to deal guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, the front office has also traded center Kristaps Porzingis as part of a blockbuster three-team agreement.

Boston will send Porzingis plus a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Georges Niang and another second-round pick. The Hawks will then trade Terance Mann and their No. 22 pick to the Brooklyn Nets.

Boston needed to make some money moves (no pun intended) this offseason if it hoped to ease some of the financial burden of its star-studded roster. And with Holiday and Porzingis gone, the team will now save a projected $180 million in tax penalties and is officially under the second apron, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.

The NBA world was, of course, quick to react to the deal and share its thoughts, while Celtics fans eagerly pounced on the opportunity to say goodbye to their beloved big man:

Thanks to 2024 NBA World Champion Kristaps Porzingis!!!!!!!

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 24, 2025

The greatest in-person stretch of Celtics basketball I’ve ever seen maybe

Shoutout to Kristaps Porzingis
pic.twitter.com/mD9YVhvzIB

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) June 24, 2025

Kristaps Porzingis was unstoppable when he was healthy. Whether he missed a ton of games or not, he ultimately helped Boston raise their 18th banner and for that I’ll always love and appreciate Kristaps. Boston Legend in my book ☘️ pic.twitter.com/fPxiH0FiSk

— Dante Turo (@DanteOnDeck) June 24, 2025

Can’t imagine anyone thought the Celtics would be able to shed salaries for Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday without including any assets. Instead, they acquired a 20 PPG scorer, a vet with multiple playoff runs, and three second-round picks. That’s impressive.

— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) June 24, 2025

Porzingis is a health risk but the price was loooooow so take the risk.

— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) June 24, 2025

There's never been a player I've changed my view on more from before his time with the Celtics to the end of his time with the Celtics.

Kristaps Porzingis is the ultimate teammate, will do anything for his people and is a true winner. No Banner 18 without him.

— Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass) June 24, 2025

Brad Stevens got under the second apron in a shockingly clean fashion. This could’ve been a lot more complicated than it was. Nice job by the Celtics front office.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 24, 2025

Brad Stevens just shed 2 extra years and 70m of contract AND saved 5m this year AND got 2 2nds in the process lmaooo

What did I just read?????

— Eddie Gonzalez (@bansky) June 24, 2025

I love this for the Hawks. Buying super low on a very talented player at a position of need on an expiring deal. Health is obviously a major question for KP, but Atlanta could easily be a Top 4 seed in a banged-up East next year.

Also, good work by Brooklyn? +1 FRP is a win! https://t.co/nk8tdgoJIV

— Carson Breber (@Carsobi) June 24, 2025

The 29-year-old Porzingis, who had been battling a mystery illness last season, ended 2024-25 with an average of 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 42 games.

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