Hoops Rumors

The Celtics are expecting to receive a minimum of four ownership bids from prospective investment groups when the first round of the sale process closes on January 23, a source with direct knowledge of the process tells Michael Silverman of The Boston Globe (subscription required). A fifth bid is also a possibility, Silverman reports. Current co-owner Steve Pagliuca is … [Read more...] about Celtics Reportedly Expect 4-5 Initial Ownership Bids

Celtics guard Jaden Springer is considered a prime trade candidate for a team looking to reduce its luxury tax bill. Springer may have enhanced his value with a rare chance to play extended minutes against the Clippers on Wednesday. He had six points and tied a career-high with four steals in a season-high 20 minutes, Brian Robb of Masslive.com notes. “He’s just got an innate … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Springer, Brown, Raptors Trade Prospects, Johnson

Six NBA reporters at The Athletic, including Sam Amick, Fred Katz, and Joe Vardon, made their picks for the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star starters, with all six writers selecting the same three frontcourt players in the East: Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander … [Read more...] about And-Ones: All-Star Game, Fernando, Snyder, NBRPA, Woj

The NBA’s Most Valuable Player race for this season already looks like it’ll be a two-man race, according to Zach Harper of The Athletic, who points to the current betting odds as evidence. BetOnline.ag currently lists Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the frontrunner at -400, followed relatively closely by Nuggets center Nikola Jokic at +250. After those two, Giannis … [Read more...] about And-Ones: MVP Race, Maledon, Flagg, Dybantsa

Fenway Sports Group was identified last summer as a potential bidder for the Celtics, but with Boston’s ownership group expecting its first round of offers by this Thursday, FSG is not expected to be involved in the process, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Fenway Sports Group is the controlling owner of MLB’s Boston Red Sox, the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, and Liverpool … [Read more...] about Fenway Sports Group Not Expected To Bid For Celtics

Could the defending champions be lacking in confidence? The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn believes so. The Celtics have become an unreliable team capable of crumbling in crucial moments of games, according to Washburn. They are losing games that would have won last season, though they still have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. We have more from the Eastern … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Celtics, Sixers, Risacher, Mitchell

After scoring 23 points in 23 minutes on Friday, Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis expressed hope that he might be available for tonight’s game against Atlanta, writes Brian Robb of MassLive. Porzingis is officially listed as questionable, but if he’s able to take the court, it would mark his first back-to-back since returning from offseason surgery. “I believe so,” Porzingis … [Read more...] about Celtics Notes: Porzingis, Starting Lineup, Roster Moves, Mazzulla

Nets forward Cameron Johnson is considered one of the most players most likely to be moved at this year’s trade deadline, and people around the NBA believe Brooklyn will be open to listening on center Nic Claxton as well, according to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN. However, at least one league executive who spoke to ESPN pointed out that Johnson’s and Claxton’s … [Read more...] about Trade Rumors: Johnson, Claxton, Butler, Suns, Raptors, Sixers