The 2025-26 season figures to be a homecoming of sorts for Celtics big man Georges Niang, who was born in Lawrence and grew up in Methuen as a fan of the C’s. But, the 32-year-old forward doesn’t expect to receive a warm reception at the start of the year at TD Garden.

Georges Niang already has a reputation among Celtics fans. And even though he’s a Massachusetts native, he doesn’t expect fans to take too kindly to him.

In an effort to save money ahead of what they're anticipating will be a lost season sans injured All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, Boston flipped former starting center Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks for Niang and a second round pick as part of a three-team exchange with the Brooklyn Nets.