Latest news with #LuisJr.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Can the Boston Celtics unlock the potential of two way wing RJ Luis Jr.?
Can the Boston Celtics unlock the potential of two way wing RJ Luis Jr.? Luis came to the Celtics in an unusual trade that saw Boston deal vet forward Georges Niang into the cap space of the Utah Jazz with two second round draft picks to sweeten the deal, getting a traded player exception for Niang's salary slot and the two way contract of Luis in return. While the cap savings that generated for the Celtics was the leading news at the moment for most people following the team, Luis Jr. was not just a random throw-in to make the deal legal. Boston's front office evidently is a fan of Luis Jr., and hopes to develop him as one of the team's three two way players. The man behind the "Nik NBA" YouTube channel put together a clip of his play with an eye to how the Celtics could develop the former St. John's star at the NBA level. Check it out below! Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Spotify: iTunes: YouTube:
USA Today
07-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What do the additions of Chris Boucher and RJ Luis Jr. mean to the Boston Celtics?
What do the additions of Chris Boucher and RJ Luis Jr. mean to the Boston Celtics? The Celtics signed Boucher to a one-year, vet minimum deal after dealing away backup forward Georges Niang into the Utah Jazz' salary cap structure to cut all of his salary from their own books, allowing the former Toronto Raptors reserve forward to be signed on a team-friendly deal without going back over the collective bargaining agreement's second apron. In the deal, which also sent the Jazz a pair of second round draft picks, Boston also got back two way player Luis Jr., whose salary as a two way prospect does not count against the team's cap hits. But what can Boucher and Luis Jr. do for the Celtics on the court? The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network: Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Spotify: iTunes: YouTube:
USA Today
06-08-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Boston Celtics make money-saving trade by shipping Georges Niang to Utah
Boston Celtics fans won't have to worry about watching Georges Niang suit up for the roster next season. The 32-year-old forward was traded to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, August 5. Boston packaged Niang with two future second-round picks to get the deal over the line; two-way wing RJ Luis Jr. is heading to the Celtics in the opposite direction. The move saved Boston close to $40 million in luxury taxes, while also opening up an additional roster spot. Brad Stevens moved quickly to replace Niang, signing Chris Boucher to a one-year $3.3 million contract. The back-to-back moves were certainly made due to financial reasons; however, the on-court fit is likely better, too. Shortly after news of the trade broke, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance of the "How 'Bout Them Celtics?" podcast explored Boston's reasoning for moving on from Niang and why the luxury tax savings were undoubtedly a driving force. They also briefly touched on Luis Jr. and what to expect from the undrafted rookie in the upcoming season. You can watch the full podcast episode by clicking on the embedded video above. Watch or listen to the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast on: YouTube: Spotify: Apple: Substack:
Boston Globe
05-08-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Celtics reportedly trading Georges Niang, two second-round picks for Jazz rookie RJ Luis Jr.
Luis Jr., who started his collegiate career at UMass, blossomed into one of the best players in the country under Rick Pitino at St. John's. He was named Big East player of the year and was a second team All-American, but struggled at points in the postseason — he shot just 3 of 17 and finished with 9 points as the second-seeded Red Storm were upset by 10th-seeded Arkansas. The move gets the Celtics off of Niang's $8.2 million salary and brings Boston well below the second salary cap apron. Advertisement Amin Touri can be reached at
NBC Sports
04-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Rivalry games highlight final week of college basketball's regular season
The college basketball season has wound down toward the end, with some conference tournaments already starting. The major conferences still have a week left in the regular season and that means rivalry games — and some big ones. Atop the marquee is a Southeastern Conference rematch between top-ranked Auburn and No. 7 Alabama. The Tigers have staked a claim as the nation's best team this season, spending the past eight weeks at No. 1 in the AP Top 25. Auburn already has clinched the SEC regular-season title and has put itself in position for the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers have a tough schedule to close out the regular season, playing at No. 22 Texas A&M then the rival Crimson Tide. Alabama also has a difficult final week ahead, facing No. 5 Florida. Auburn won the first meeting against Alabama 94-85 behind Johni Broome's 19 points and 14 rebounds. The rivalry game between No. 8 Michigan State and No. 17 Michigan could end up deciding the Big Ten regular-season title. The Spartans (24-5, 15-3 Big Ten) enter the final week with a one-game lead over the Wolverines (22-7, 14-4). Michigan hosts No. 13 Maryland and Michigan State is at Iowa to set up the showdown. Michigan State won the first meeting 75-62 in Ann Arbor. It may not be a game between ranked teams, but No. 2 Duke at North Carolina always is must-watch. The Tar Heels could use a win to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume and the Blue Devils (26-3, 17-1 ACC) can clinch the ACC regular-season title outright after crushing Wake Forest. Duke won the first rivalry game by 17 at home on Feb. 1. And don't sleep on Arizona State at No. 24 Arizona. Things got a little testy the last meeting in Tempe. The Wildcats also travel to Allen Fieldhouse to play Kansas. Johnnies and Eagles No. 6 St. John's has wrapped up its first Big East regular-season title in 40 years, but don't expect a letup against No. 20 Marquette. The Red Storm have won five straight after beating Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden. St. John's beat Marquette 70-64 at the Garden, but this game will be in Milwaukee, where the Golden Eagles are 14-2 this season. RJ Luis Jr., Kadary Richmond and Zuby Ejiofor all had double-doubles in the last meeting, so Marquette knows where to start if it's going to have a chance. Big 12 contrast One of the nation's best defensive teams will face one it's best shooting teams in Ames, Iowa. No. 10 Iowa State has lost two of its past three games, but the one win was a blowout of Arizona. The Cyclones are solid on offense, but are even better defensively, entering the game ninth in the KenPom defensive efficiency ratings. They'll need to be good against No. 23 BYU. The Cougars have shooters at every position and are 10th nationally in 3-pointers made per game at 10.7. BYU made 17 3s in a win over Arizona State. Shorthanded Wildcats No. 19 Kentucky has had a solid first season under coach Mark Pope, but will be without one of its best players at No. 15 Missouri. Jaxson Robinson, the Wildcats' second-leading scorer, did not play against Auburn and now will be out for the rest of the season because of a wrist injury. Missouri is coming off a surprising loss to Vanderbilt, but is 18-1 at home. Kentucky plays LSU in its home finale and Missouri plays at Oklahoma.
