Brad Stevens recently spoke publicly for the first time about the sale of the Boston Celtics ownership, following Wyc Grousbeck’s announcement earlier this month. In a statement made in Las Vegas, Stevens revealed that he, like the rest of the public, was surprised by the news.
“I found out about it shortly before it was made public,” Stevens said. “I’m very grateful for everything Wyc and his family have done, and I’m eager to see what comes next.”
Stevens has been active in preparing the team for the 2024-25 season by securing key players, including extending contracts for Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, and re-signing free agents Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta, and Xavier Tillman. While these new deals will extend beyond the Grousbeck sale, Stevens indicates that the ownership change hasn’t disrupted their planning.
“I don’t want to delve too deeply into the specifics, but right now, it doesn’t really affect us,” Stevens remarked. “Whether from a corporate or basketball perspective, we’re focused on doing what’s best for the current and future success of the Celtics. We’re fortunate to have a strong team.”
The real challenge will arise when the new owners address the Celtics’ increasing payroll and potential luxury tax implications starting in the 2025-26 season. If the new owners are willing to cover these costs, the Celtics could remain competitive for the rest of the decade. If not, Stevens may face difficult decisions about which players to retain.
For now, Stevens has set up the team to make a strong push with the current roster. Despite other Eastern Conference teams strengthening their squads, the Celtics’ stability gives them an edge in their pursuit of becoming the NBA’s first repeat champions of this decade.
