Celtics For Sale! (Celtics sold to Bill Chisholm of Symphony Technology Group for record $6.1B)

[cloverleaf]

https://www.axios.com/2025/03/21/celtics-sale-questions-answers

"Steve Pagliuca, did submit a fully financed bid (albeit at a lower price and without Wyc remaining as CEO)"

[The Corey's]

Corey's this will be my last post on this -- my point is simple: Not trying to get apocalyptic here but no one revolts.

Dallas is an outlier scenario -- no one is suggesting the new owners will trade JT -- and Dallas ownership will survive and still make money.

I remember the 90s -- paid $10 for balcony tickets and moved down to empty seats in the lower bowl many times:)

Don Gaston bought the Celtics for $15M in 1983 and his son Paul sold it in 2002 for $360M.
(Appreciation = 23x value in 20 years = 115% per year)
Might've suffered at the gate for a bunch of the 1990s, but still did fine.

Wyc's dad bought for $360M in 2002 and sold for $6.1B in 2025
(Appreciation = 16x value in 23 years = 70% per year)
Did great, signed a bunch of contracts that maybe can't be paid in full, cashed out.

Chisholm and Co in my opinion are likely going to trade Jrue for nothing, and it'll ruffle some feathers and hurt our three-peat chances a bit, but life will move on.

If you wanna let them off the hook then let them off the hook.

The rest of us won't.

Practically speaking, what are you and the "rest of us" going to do about it? Keep ranting and railing on forum boards? How do you put pressure on these new owners so they won't sell off parts of a championship roster. Genuinely curious, so we could help. I think no one here wants to NOT keeping winning titles. And some of us don't even live in or aren't from Boston.

There is nothing we can do. Obviously.

However, just like the Patriots, people will stop showing up when you aren't winning games.

Making the playoffs isn't good enough anymore. You have a championship roster and you need to ride it into the ground.

[ConstableGeneva]

If you wanna let them off the hook then let them off the hook.

The rest of us won't.

Practically speaking, what are you and the "rest of us" going to do about it? Keep ranting and railing on forum boards? How do you put pressure on these new owners so they won't sell off parts of a championship roster. Genuinely curious, so we could help. I think no one here wants to NOT keeping winning titles. And some of us don't even live in or aren't from Boston.

There is nothing we can do. Obviously.

However, just like the Patriots, people will stop showing up when you aren't winning games.

Making the playoffs isn't good enough anymore. You have a championship roster and you need to ride it into the ground.

Let's hope they do just that. At least for two more seasons. Porziņģis agreeing to a discounted extension past his $30M contract next season will go a long way to making that happen.

In any case, Brad should still be exploring other cheaper options that won't hurt our championship chances beyond this season. This current roster isn't a walking title guarantee anyway. Other teams will keep improving. I still have OKC beating us in June and they have better avenues to bolster their roster. Hope I'm wrong.

[hugepatsfan]

Offseason trade idea... not including picks, just the salaries.

LAC gives: Bogdan Bogdanovich, Kris Dunn, Drew Eubanks
LAC gets: Jrue Holiday

Utah gives: Walker Kessler
Utah gets: Kris Dunn, Drew Eubanks

BOS gives: Jrue Holiday
BOS gets: Walker Kessler, Bogdan Bogdanovich

Celtics waive/strecth the $16.02M left on Bogi's deal (guaranteed portion) over 5 years. They're allowed to do it over 5 years because the team option on his deal adds years to the calc but no extra guaranteed salary. Then extend Kessler with a deal set to start next year. Bring Horford back on minimum deal.

This would set us below the 2nd apron for next year and greatly reduce the tax in the process. It would also set them up to avoid the luxury tax altogether the following year when Porzingis expires. The lineup next year would be:

White / Pritchard
Brown
Hauser / Scheierman / Walsh
Tatum / Horford
Porzingis / Kessler / Queta / Tillman

+ the #28 and #31 draft picks (or wherever our picks land)

Going forward, Kessler elevates to the starting lineup to replace Porzingis as the rim protector. Pritchard/Scheierman/Hauser are your key shooters around the big 3 of Tatum/Brown/White. Between the two rookies from the draft and annual vet minimum signings you have to fill in the backup big spots but that's enough resources to do so.

[djFan71]

From Bobby Marks:

To no surprise, NBA teams were notified that the salary cap in 2025-26 is expected to increase 10% from this past season, sources tell ESPN.

The current projection is the same that were given to teams in the offseason.

Salary cap: $154.6M
Luxury tax: $187.9M
First apron: $195.9M
Second apron: $207.8M

The salary cap this current season is $140.6M.

Spotrac is always a cool resource when you want to build your fake rosters. This luxury tax calculator is helpful too. One thing's for sure, tone has changed from Wyc to new owners. No more talk of green light to spend we heard prior two seasons. Hard choices have to be made esp if we don't repeat.

Is 10% the max raise? Which heavily implies another 10% the following season?
Or is it just coincidentally such a round number?

[bucknersrevenge]

White or Holiday are the easiest to replace. Pritchard is on the roster already on an extremely team friendly contract.

Trading White would bring something back. Porzingis probably gets you some sort of asset in return as well. 30 mil isn’t bad for a 2 way center when other guys are making 50.

I disagree on those two, especially White. His contract for what he provides this team IMO is just too difficult to replace. Holiday has been the QB of our defense and his versatility unlocks our ability to switch and recover. He has more value here than he does elsewhere as his contract is long but as a guy who's averaging like 11/4 or whatever at pedestrian shooting numbers at age 34 I don't see a ton of interest or willingness to take him unless we dump a few picks in a deal.

KP has missed as many games as he's played in 2 seasons if not more. We could move him if a team was trying to get off a longer deal. His strength beyond what he does in our offense and defense is that he has only one year left on his deal. Honestly, if we're looking to cut salary, moving him makes the LEAST amount of sense after this season. We want to move longer deals not shorter ones. That's Hauser. That's Jrue, and that's unfortunately JB.

If they trade Brown they aren’t winning a title anytime soon. The amount of posters who want to save money for the owners is insane. Look, there is no trade that will make them better than the current roster they have now. If you want to win, you have to pay the tax. Depending on what KP wants in the offseason you could extend, or trade for picks and an expiring. Jrue you could do the same with. But doing that also closes the window. So what’s more important to fans on this board? Winning or saving money?

The realities of our situation are the realities of our situation. Idealism is nice when talking about winning vs saving money but it's also just shouting at the rain. We are going to lose players from this team this offseason, period. And suggesting that moving a JB from this team closes our window vs keeping him means championships is a false dichotomy for a few of reasons:

1. It's not like we'd be moving JB for picks. JB is a 26 yr old All-Star FMVP. It's almost like if we traded him we'd be getting talent back to add to the remaining core.
2. If moving JB got us under the cap, there's still a lot of talent left on this team along with what they'd get in return for him.
3. It's almost like we have the best if not THE best POBO in the business in Brad Stevens here. He's earned my trust that if he had to move off JB, he'd find a way to make it work with what we'd get back and what we have here.

To be clear I'm not suggesting we absolutely move JB. Just stating that doing so may be the best way assure we receive real talent in return and we wouldn't have to contribute picks. If you could get Jrue to a team like WSH or HOU, you might be able get a decent level player in return, but nothing high level. But getting off his contract would be significant.

IMHO, there are only 2 players on this team with an absolute 0% chance of moving and that's JT and DWhite. Everyone else is non-0.

[bucknersrevenge]

Offseason trade idea... not including picks, just the salaries.

LAC gives: Bogdan Bogdanovich, Kris Dunn, Drew Eubanks
LAC gets: Jrue Holiday

Utah gives: Walker Kessler
Utah gets: Kris Dunn, Drew Eubanks

BOS gives: Jrue Holiday
BOS gets: Walker Kessler, Bogdan Bogdanovich

Celtics waive/strecth the $16.02M left on Bogi's deal (guaranteed portion) over 5 years. They're allowed to do it over 5 years because the team option on his deal adds years to the calc but no extra guaranteed salary. Then extend Kessler with a deal set to start next year. Bring Horford back on minimum deal.

This would set us below the 2nd apron for next year and greatly reduce the tax in the process. It would also set them up to avoid the luxury tax altogether the following year when Porzingis expires. The lineup next year would be:

White / Pritchard
Brown
Hauser / Scheierman / Walsh
Tatum / Horford
Porzingis / Kessler / Queta / Tillman

+ the #28 and #31 draft picks (or wherever our picks land)

Going forward, Kessler elevates to the starting lineup to replace Porzingis as the rim protector. Pritchard/Scheierman/Hauser are your key shooters around the big 3 of Tatum/Brown/White. Between the two rookies from the draft and annual vet minimum signings you have to fill in the backup big spots but that's enough resources to do so.

Not sure Jrue is their missing piece especially when LAC already has Kris Dunn playing basically the same role he'd be playing for them. He is an LA guy and that's nice but I have trouble seeing the motivation on their end.

[GoCeltics123]

Read on Twitter

This whole situation is so weird. They must be banking on the minority investors rolling over their stake

[playa-hater]

Offseason trade idea... not including picks, just the salaries.

LAC gives: Bogdan Bogdanovich, Kris Dunn, Drew Eubanks
LAC gets: Jrue Holiday

Utah gives: Walker Kessler
Utah gets: Kris Dunn, Drew Eubanks

BOS gives: Jrue Holiday
BOS gets: Walker Kessler, Bogdan Bogdanovich

Celtics waive/strecth the $16.02M left on Bogi's deal (guaranteed portion) over 5 years. They're allowed to do it over 5 years because the team option on his deal adds years to the calc but no extra guaranteed salary. Then extend Kessler with a deal set to start next year. Bring Horford back on minimum deal.

This would set us below the 2nd apron for next year and greatly reduce the tax in the process. It would also set them up to avoid the luxury tax altogether the following year when Porzingis expires. The lineup next year would be:

White / Pritchard
Brown
Hauser / Scheierman / Walsh
Tatum / Horford
Porzingis / Kessler / Queta / Tillman

+ the #28 and #31 draft picks (or wherever our picks land)

Going forward, Kessler elevates to the starting lineup to replace Porzingis as the rim protector. Pritchard/Scheierman/Hauser are your key shooters around the big 3 of Tatum/Brown/White. Between the two rookies from the draft and annual vet minimum signings you have to fill in the backup big spots but that's enough resources to do so.

Not sure Jrue is their missing piece especially when LAC already has Kris Dunn playing basically the same role he'd be playing for them. He is an LA guy and that's nice but I have trouble seeing the motivation on their end.

I like the trade ideas and discussions, just wasn't expecting it in this thread.
good thing I looked.

[ConstableGeneva]

SBOBO Stevens spoke after shootaround in Phoenix re new ownership and Celtics direction...

"My only thing is just asking to be kept in the loop on everything I need to know from the standpoint of making decisions here and now and moving forward,” Stevens said. “As we get to spend more time with Bill, with Wyc and Bill, then we’ll have more clarity on how we are going to do things.

“But really, every indication is it’s pretty much business as usual, so I’m excited about that. But again, you spend a lot of money on these things, so you have every right to come in and put your stamp on it however you want. So I’m looking forward to working with him.”

"Everybody’s got to just be themselves, right, and bring their own authenticity to it,” Stevens said. “When you buy a team and when you are invested like that, then he’s gonna bring great ideas. We’ll operate and execute plans that ultimately he wants to. I’ve been really impressed with how committed he seems to be to learning more about how we’ve done things, both the business side and the basketball side.

“And also the idea that I think he recognizes that we’ve got a good thing going. For me, the most important thing in this whole transition is just the people that I work with feel comfortable. I think that clearly from every indication of every conversation I’ve had with Bill, I do, and I think everybody should.”

Source: https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2025/03/brad-stevens-hints-at-future-under-wyc-grousbeck-new-boston-celtics-owner.html

[31to6]

SBOBO Stevens spoke after shootaround in Phoenix re new ownership and Celtics direction...

"My only thing is just asking to be kept in the loop on everything I need to know from the standpoint of making decisions here and now and moving forward,” Stevens said. “As we get to spend more time with Bill, with Wyc and Bill, then we’ll have more clarity on how we are going to do things.

“But really, every indication is it’s pretty much business as usual, so I’m excited about that. But again, you spend a lot of money on these things, so you have every right to come in and put your stamp on it however you want. So I’m looking forward to working with him.”

"Everybody’s got to just be themselves, right, and bring their own authenticity to it,” Stevens said. “When you buy a team and when you are invested like that, then he’s gonna bring great ideas. We’ll operate and execute plans that ultimately he wants to. I’ve been really impressed with how committed he seems to be to learning more about how we’ve done things, both the business side and the basketball side.

“And also the idea that I think he recognizes that we’ve got a good thing going. For me, the most important thing in this whole transition is just the people that I work with feel comfortable. I think that clearly from every indication of every conversation I’ve had with Bill, I do, and I think everybody should.”

Source: https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2025/03/brad-stevens-hints-at-future-under-wyc-grousbeck-new-boston-celtics-owner.html

highlighted the ONLY words I paid attention to here 4 u

[ConstableGeneva]

Watch on YouTube

[ConstableGeneva]

Wish I knew what Stein and Fischer are saying about the Celtics luxury tax situation in his latest substack.

[ConstableGeneva]

Wish I knew what Stein and Fischer are saying about the Celtics luxury tax situation in his latest substack.

"People around the league believe the Celtics will eventually have to trade someone, with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday as names to watch, per
@JakeLFischer


“‘They're going to have to trade some guys at some point,’ one team capologist told The Stein Line. The two major salaries that league figures are monitoring in possible future trades: Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday.”
-- via NBA Central

Original source: https://marcstein.substack.com/p/jake-fischer-latest-more-changes

[FlatearthZorro]

Wish I knew what Stein and Fischer are saying about the Celtics luxury tax situation in his latest substack.

"People around the league believe the Celtics will eventually have to trade someone, with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday as names to watch, per
@JakeLFischer


“‘They're going to have to trade some guys at some point,’ one team capologist told The Stein Line. The two major salaries that league figures are monitoring in possible future trades: Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday.”
-- via NBA Central

Original source: https://marcstein.substack.com/p/jake-fischer-latest-more-changes

That's been obvious for quite some time. Either Holiday or Porzingod are gone this summer, imo... Maybe Hauser, too if anybody wants him.
It's an interesting situation tho, cause you could make the case for either to stay.

[31to6]

Wish I knew what Stein and Fischer are saying about the Celtics luxury tax situation in his latest substack.

"People around the league believe the Celtics will eventually have to trade someone, with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday as names to watch, per
@JakeLFischer


“‘They're going to have to trade some guys at some point,’ one team capologist told The Stein Line. The two major salaries that league figures are monitoring in possible future trades: Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday.”
-- via NBA Central

Original source: https://marcstein.substack.com/p/jake-fischer-latest-more-changes

That's been obvious for quite some time. Either Holiday or Porzingod are gone this summer, imo... Maybe Hauser, too if anybody wants him.
It's an interesting situation tho, cause you could make the case for either to stay.

When he's really playing (which might be mostly reserved for the playoffs/Finals) Jrue puts us into ridiculous territory, like GTFO no one is beating this team

But Porzingis provides a balance to our lineup that no one else does or is likely to any time soon

KP would likely have more value in a trade, but I'd sell off Jrue with a pick or two long before going the other way

[ConstableGeneva]

Repeat as champs and new owners would be dicks to break up a potential three-peat team.

[Gant]

Repeat as champs and new owners would be dicks to break up a potential three-peat team.

The break-up is less likely if they repeat. If they don't it's like 1985 when they traded Cedric Maxwell (which worked out) or like 1975 when they traded Paul Westphal (which was a mistake).

[FlatearthZorro]

"People around the league believe the Celtics will eventually have to trade someone, with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday as names to watch, per
@JakeLFischer


“‘They're going to have to trade some guys at some point,’ one team capologist told The Stein Line. The two major salaries that league figures are monitoring in possible future trades: Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday.”
-- via NBA Central

Original source: https://marcstein.substack.com/p/jake-fischer-latest-more-changes

That's been obvious for quite some time. Either Holiday or Porzingod are gone this summer, imo... Maybe Hauser, too if anybody wants him.
It's an interesting situation tho, cause you could make the case for either to stay.

When he's really playing (which might be mostly reserved for the playoffs/Finals) Jrue puts us into ridiculous territory, like GTFO no one is beating this team

But Porzingis provides a balance to our lineup that no one else does or is likely to any time soon

KP would likely have more value in a trade, but I'd sell off Jrue with a pick or two long before going the other way

Jrue has been chilling for a minute, but I do agree that he's extremely valueable to this team.
However, to me Porzingis if healthy(which may never happen) is an all-star and elite on both ends of the court. He's just really unique(and fragile).
Pick your poision.
As I said, I believe one of them is gone. To me, the more obvious choice is Jrue due to the length of his contract and his age. Porzingis expires after next season.
Here's to hoping the guys blow everybody out the water again, we repeat(which would be legendary s***) and then whatever happens, happens.

[wco81]

Repeat as champs and new owners would be dicks to break up a potential three-peat team.

The break-up is less likely if they repeat. If they don't it's like 1985 when they traded Cedric Maxwell (which worked out) or like 1975 when they traded Paul Westphal (which was a mistake).

Except the salaries were a lot different, no caps and nothing like the current CBA.

Of course the salaries and revenues were both a fraction of what they are today. Would be interesting to see what percentage of the payroll at the time the players with the highest salaries took up, whether it was anything like 35% that super max players take up of the cap.

So there might not have been the same financial pressures, not to mention all the restrictions of mechanisms like the Second Apron in existence back then.