Forward acquired in Kristaps Porzingis trade doesn't expect to be embraced by Celtics fans
'I'm a Boston kid,' Niang said during an appearance on 'The OGs' podcast. 'I then get traded for Kristaps Porzingis. (Udonis Haslem) knows how tough Boston fans are. 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.'
'They want superstars.'
Niang, who Boston acquired in the three-team deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks, might not be well-liked because of who he was traded for, though. The forward drew the ire of Celtics fans when he grabbed Jaylen Brown's knee from the bench in Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinal between Boston and the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Celtics will look quite different in 2025-26 after they traded Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Boston is also expected to be without Jayson Tatum for most of, if not the entire season after he tore his Achilles in the playoffs.
Should Niang stick with the Celtics, he'll likely help the team during a season in which expectations might not be as high as they had been the last two years.
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Tyrese Haliburton reveals Jayson Tatum chats during Achilles rehab
Marcus Smart talks 'disappointment' in past 2 years since Celtics trade
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