Boston Celtics fans were not happy with one of their new acquisitions.
Celtics Facing Backlash After Trade Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Boston Celtics made their two offseason trades official on Monday. They traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks for Georges Niang, including a second-round pick swap.
Doing this saved the Celtics hundreds of millions in luxury tax bills while also getting them below the NBA's second tax apron. The Celtics' main goal was to save money this offseason, so they accomplished their mission.
This was especially the case when they acquired Niang, who will be owed $8.2 million this season compared to Porzingis, who will be owed $30.7 million. Despite it being known what Boston's intentions were this summer, they didn't have to trade any first-round picks to get either trade done.
Before Boston acquired him, Niang had some history with the team. Back when he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, he notoriously grabbed Jaylen Brown's leg while on the bench during Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup against the Celtics in 2023, causing both to get technical fouls.
That's why fans weren't exactly thrilled when the team made the trade official via its official X account. Fans were quick to demand that the Celtics get rid of Niang.
The hometown kid from Lawrence ☘️
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 7, 2025
Welcome home, @GeorgesNiang20pic.twitter.com/mSAvosNEGm
"Nah trade this dude," one requested.
"He isn’t welcome on this team…" another wrote. "Get this dude tf out of here."
"Get him off the team now," another said.
"Me when that 'Georges Niang has been released' post shows up," one wrote with a GIF of people celebrating on the sidelines.
"Yeah, nah. Get him out of here," said another.
"NOOO," one added.
The Celtics might not be done making moves, but if Niang stays, at worst, he'll be a one-year rental.
Related: Celtics React to Kristaps Porzingis’ Message After Hawks Trade
Related: New Al Horford, Celtics Report Emerges Amid Retirement Decision
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
