Hoops Rumors

Asked at his Thursday press conference whether the NBA has looked any more at adding an expansion team or two, commissioner Adam Silver said the league is “still in the process of digesting the Celtics (sale)” and expects to explore expansion in a “more serious way” once that transaction is finalized, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. As Bontemps notes, ESPN has previously reported … [Read more...] about Adam Silver Talks Expansion, Wolves Sale, Tanking, RSNs

Veteran guard Delon Wright had been glued to the Knicks‘ bench during his first month-and-a-half in New York after being acquired from Milwaukee in the Jericho Sims trade at February’s deadline. But with Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride both injured this week, Wright got the call from head coach Tom Thibodeau, entering the starting lineup for Friday’s game in Milwaukee. While … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Wright, Maxey, Pritchard, Raptors

While no one expects the Celtics to move on from Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown anytime soon, there are questions around the league about how long the club can carry one of the NBA’s highest payrolls, subjecting itself to significant luxury tax penalties and onerous second-apron restrictions, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). The general consensus is that the … [Read more...] about Celtics Rumors: Holiday, Porzingis, White, Horford, Ownership

The Celtics didn’t have Jayson Tatum on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. It didn’t matter, as they blew out the Suns, 132-102, for their seventh straight victory. Boston is rounding into playoff form at just the right time. The Celtics have won 14 of their last 15 road games with their only loss coming against the Pistons on Feb. 27. Another encouraging sign, according to … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Brown, Sixers, Maxey, Payne, Robinson

After initially being listed as out last week due to calf soreness, Damian Lillard was experiencing discomfort and pain inconsistent with a typical calf strain, according to Eric Nehm and Sam Amick of The Athletic, who hear from a source that the Bucks guard sought clarity on the cause. That prompted a “rigorous discovery process” that ultimately involved Lillard meeting with … [Read more...] about Injury/Health Notes: Lillard, Tatum, Jokic, Sheppard

Although William Chisholm has reached a tentative agreement to buy a controlling stake in the Celtics, the NBA’s Board of Governors vote to approve the sale isn’t expected to happen until June, according to Dan Primack of Axios (hat tip to Brian Robb of MassLive.com). That will give Chisholm some time to recruit additional investors, since his bid for the franchise isn’t fully … [Read more...] about Celtics Sale Notes: Chisholm, Financing, Valuation, More

Celtics forward Jaylen Brown has been ruled out for at least two games after being diagnosed with a bone bruise with posterior impingement in his right knee, according to the team (Twitter link). Brown will miss Friday’s contest in Utah and Sunday’s in Portland before being reevaluated on Monday. It’s unclear whether he’ll be available for the rest of the Celtics’ road trip, … [Read more...] about Jaylen Brown Out At Least Two Games With Bone Bruise

The record-setting $6.1 billion purchase price for the Celtics is just the beginning of William Chisholm‘s investment in the franchise. As Jay King of The Athletic notes, Chisholm is taking over a team with a massive salary and huge expectations that will become even more expensive if the core of the roster is kept together. Boston’s payroll is projected to be in the … [Read more...] about Celtics Notes: New Owner, Horford, Kornet, Hauser, Pritchard, Mazzulla

Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck has agreed to sell his controlling stake in the franchise, but the plan is for Grousbeck to remain in his current position with the team through the 2027/28 season, collaborating with William Chisholm and his investors as the defending champions transition to a new ownership group. A major part of that transition will involve determining how long … [Read more...] about Celtics’ Grousbeck Talks Tax Aprons, Sale, Chisholm, Arena