Could one of Boston’s most underrated offseason additions hold the secret to their next deep playoff run? After a whirlwind summer filled with new faces and swirling speculation, the Boston Celtics find themselves in a familiar yet delicate spot. They’re contenders—no doubt about that—but walking a financial tightrope that only serious title hopefuls understand. For all the talent they’ve gathered, there’s another balancing act behind the scenes: managing a roster under the crushing weight of the luxury tax. And in the middle of all that? Georges Niang—Boston’s new addition whose impact might be more about chemistry than stats.
If you’ve caught Niang in green lately, you might be asking the same thing Celtics fans are: is he just another name on the depth chart, or something more? In Boston, success doesn’t just come from all-stars—it often grows out of the locker room. The Celtics have pulled moves like this before. Think back to 1985, when they brought in Bill Walton. Critics weren’t convinced he’d fit.
But what followed was proof that sometimes it’s not about changing the system—it’s about adding the right personality. Walton adjusted, supported, and played his role with humility, and that blend helped Boston chase a championship. It’s moments like these that hint at what Georges Niang could mean to the current squad.
That’s where Cleveland.com Cavs beat writer Ethan Sands’ perspective comes into play. Appearing on CLNS Media Boston Sports Network, Sands highlighted that sure, Niang doesn’t scream Celtics DNA on defense—but that’s not the whole story. Sands has seen him thrive across stops in Utah, Philadelphia, and Cleveland, and he paints a vivid picture.
“He brings locker room presence, vocal leadership and just enough edge to keep teammates sharp… He’s also not going to win you a series, but he might win you a quarter and sometimes that’s all that it takes… He loves to talk, he loves to compete, he spaces the floor with confidence. He hits threes, you don’t expect them to hit. And he frustrates defenders not only because he’s hitting them in their face, but you can’t sag off him,” Sands said. That kind of spark—emotional, vocal, and clutch—can tip the balance in playoff moments.
Apr 13, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Luguentz Dort (5) drives against Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang (31) in the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Still, while Georges Niang’s fit is drawing attention, Boston’s front office is playing a serious game of financial chess. With Niang and Anfernee Simons in the fold, the Celtics are bumping up against the second apron of the luxury tax. As per an article by Sports Illustrated, both players have come up in trade conversations, and the team’s intent is to shed more salary.
Yet, that doesn’t mean a move is imminent. As of now, insiders suggest that both Niang and Simons are expected to start the season in Boston. “… The Celtics will likely enter the season with these two on their roster. It is very possible that Simons and/or Niang could be flipped to cut costs at the trade deadline, depending on where Boston is in the Eastern Conference standings…” Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints said. And it’s not as if Niang is himself not aware of the kind of situation he will be facing in Boston.
Georges Niang’s awareness of how Celtics fans feel about him
Coming home is supposed to feel special. But when you’re Georges Niang, lacing up for the Boston Celtics doesn’t exactly come with a hero’s welcome—at least not yet. The seasoned forward, a Massachusetts native, is set to represent the Green in upcoming season. But if you’ve seen how Boston fans have responded so far, you’d think he just pulled up in a rival jersey.
Let’s rewind. Niang, now entering his tenth year in the league, has never been one to shy away from intense moments. And back in a tense playoff battle between the Celtics and the 76ers two years ago, he crossed a line—literally. Sitting on the Philadelphia bench, Niang reached out and grabbed Jaylen Brown’s ankle mid-play. And if there’s one thing Celtics fans never do, it’s let something like that slide—especially when it involves one of their cornerstone stars.
So now that Niang is back on his home turf, how does he feel about the cold reception from his own city? He’s not playing clueless. In fact, his response on The OGs podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller shows he gets it—and he’s not running from it. “You know how tough Boston fans are,” Niang said to Haslem. “They don’t give a [expletive] if I’m from Boston or not. They’re like, ‘You just took our unicorn and replaced him with a minivan. Get the [expletive] out of here.’”
Porzingis, dubbed The Unicorn, brings the magic of a big man who can shoot and create. Georges Niang? He embraces the Minivan nickname—a nod to how long it takes him to ramp up. “I’m like public enemy No. 1,” he said. “They’re like, ‘What the… what is this? This ain’t shiny, this got scratches on it!’” He may not be shiny, but if Geroges Niang plays his game in green, Boston might just start liking the ride, just as Cleveland.com’s Ethan Sands believes.
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