Jun 2, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens before game one of the 2022 NBA Finals Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Boston Celtics Announce Trade For 22-Year-Old Guard

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 11:07 PM ET

RJ Luis Jr. played his college basketball at Massachusetts and St John's.

He finished last year with averages of 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 43.9% from the field and 33.6% from the three-point range in 35 games.

On Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics officially announced that they had traded for Luis Jr.

Via The Boston Celtics: "We have traded Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz for RJ Luis Jr"

We have traded Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz for RJ Luis Jr
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 6, 2025

Luis Jr. had signed a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz after going unselected in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Via Jake Fischer of The Stein Line: "The two second-round picks Boston is sending Utah as part of the Georges Niang-for-RJ Luis Jr. trade are the 2027 most favorable between the Celtics/Magic, and the 2031 most favorable between the Celtics/Cavaliers, per source."

The two second-round picks Boston is sending Utah as part of the Georges Niang-for-RJ Luis Jr. trade are the 2027 most favorable between the Celtics/Magic, and the 2031 most favorable between the Celtics/Cavaliers, per source.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) August 6, 2025

While Luis Jr. is an intriguing prospect, the Celtics made the move to get off of Niang's contract.

Via Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron Podcast: "The Boston Celtics reduce their payroll and luxury tax by a total of $50 million by trading Georges Niang.

They’re now just $1.7 million above the first apron and $9.4 million above the luxury tax line.

They also create a $8.2 million trade exception."