The Hawks are swooping in to land Kristaps Porzingis.
Atlanta is finalizing a trade to acquire Porzingis from the Celtics in a three-team deal that also involves the Nets, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.
In the swap, the Hawks would also acquire a second-round pick from the Celtics, the Nets would get Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick in this year’s draft and Boston would end up with Georges Niang and a second-round pick.
Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks defends against Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics. Jason Szenes / New York Post
The trade, if completed, would mean the Nets have five first-round picks (Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26 and 27) in Wednesday’s draft.
Charania reported that the move helps the Celtics get out of the NBA’s second apron.
Kristaps Porzingis drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks during Round Two Game Five of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NBAE via Getty Images
The trade cannot be completed until July 6 because the Nets are acquiring Mann with cap space, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The swap comes after NBA insider Jake Fischer reported earlier in the day that the Spurs had “some exploratory talks” with the Celtics about potentially acquiring Porzingis to pair with Victor Wembanyama.
The Suns also expressed interest in Porzingis.
Boston has dumped two contracts off its books in as many days after it reportedly sent Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks on Monday.
Holiday and Porzingis combined for over $64 million in cap hits this coming season.
The 29-year-old Porzingis was limited to 99 games over two seasons in Boston, but performed well on the court, averaging 19.8 points and 7.0 rebounds and helped the Celtics win the 2024 NBA crown.
Kristaps Porzingis handles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Round Two Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 16, 2025 at Madison Square Garden. NBAE via Getty Images
But his play in the 2025 playoffs was noticeably diminished (7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in just 21 minutes per contest) as he dealt with a post-viral syndrome. He had missed 11 games earlier in the year due to an upper respiratory illness.
On Tuesday before the trade, Porzingis posted to his Instagram to say that he is now feeling “excellent.”
“Thanks for all the support and questions about my health,” the Latvian wrote in a story. “I’ve been feeling excellent all offseason and looking forward to a healthy and strong European championship tournament with my [national team].”
Terance Mann looks on during a game against the Miami Heat on April 18, 2025 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NBAE via Getty Images
As for the Nets, they land Mann, a 28-year-old Brooklyn native who averaged 7.7 points, 1.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 67 games between the Clippers and Hawks.