When information broke in March that the Boston Celtics can be bought for $6.1 billion to an investor group led by Invoice Chisholm, within the press launch it was additionally introduced that Wyc Grousbeck, the then-owner of the workforce, would keep on as governor till 2028. It was understood that Grousbeck would keep in his function and oversee basketball operations till the 2027-28 season to assist with the transition of energy to the brand new possession group. Nonetheless, that has now modified as ESPN reported Tuesday that Grousbeck won’t stay governor of the workforce and that Chisholm will assume the title of governor “quickly.”
That is a large reversal, however not solely shocking given we simply noticed this occur not too way back with the Dallas Mavericks. Former majority proprietor of the Mavericks Mark Cuban mentioned on a number of events that he would nonetheless have management of basketball operations after a sale went by way of to make Miriam Adelson the brand new proprietor. However there was no point out within the official press launch of Cuban nonetheless retaining basketball management. He confirmed later that he actually didn’t have management over basketball operations, and was most vocal of that truth after Dallas pulled the gorgeous transfer to commerce Luka Dončić to the Lakers again in February.
It was a transfer spearheaded by Mavs normal supervisor Nico Harrison and authorized by Adelson’s son-in-law Patrick Dumont, who has assumed the function of governor for the workforce. Cuban has mentioned on a number of events that had he nonetheless been in cost, that commerce would’ve by no means occurred.
Whereas not as dramatic as Dallas’ state of affairs, it’s notable that Grousbeck will not have management over basketball operations regardless of the preliminary announcement that he’ll. However once more, it isn’t stunning provided that when new possession is available in they oftentimes need to run issues their very own means and make their very own choices.
The timing of the choice, although, is fascinating, contemplating the Celtics spent all summer time shedding wage in an effort to get under the second luxiry-tax apron in an effort to keep away from the cruel penalties that include being a high-spending workforce. They’ve completed that by buying and selling Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Vacation and never bringing again Luke Kornet and Al Horford. Had been these choices the brand new possession group agreed with? Would they’ve structured a few of these trades in another way? Definitely they’re on board with slicing wage since Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles tear means they’re going to be a play-in workforce subsequent season. However one thing needed to have made Chisholm come to the choice that Grousbeck will not serve in his function.
The query now turns into about what Chisholm envisions for this Celtics workforce going ahead. Subsequent season will likely be a wash as a result of Tatum will not be round. However for the 2027-28 season will the Celtics attempt to reload and construct one other contender round Tatum and Jaylen Brown? Will they think about buying and selling a kind of two guys? These now turns into questions for Chisholm to reply, and we’ll have to attend and see if Boston modifications course or alters its means of workforce constructing with him now absolutely in cost.
