Celtics hire Drew Nicholas as executive director of player personnel
Last month, longtime Celtics assistant general manager Austin Ainge was hired as president of basketball operations for the Jazz. And in April, director of scouting Remy Cofield was named deputy athletic director and general manager for athletics at the University of Arkansas.
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Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Connecticut Sun will reportedly be sold for $325M and could relocate to Boston by 2027
The Connecticut Sun could be on the move by 2027 after a group led by Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca reportedly reached a deal to purchase the WNBA franchise for $325 million, according to the Boston Globe. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] The $325 million would be the highest price ever paid for a professional women's team. The deal, which will require approval from the WNBA's Board of Governors, would see Pagliuca spend $100 million for a new practice facility in Boston and for the Sun to move from Uncasville, Connecticut. This story will be updated.
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
Connecticut Sun could move to Boston by 2027 after Steve Pagliuca-led group agrees to buy WNBA team
A Sun source said the Mohegan Tribe has been looking to move on from the WNBA team, and A potential sale must be approved by the WNBA and the league's governors, and according to a source, the WNBA would rather save Boston as a potential expansion city in 2033. The league has Advertisement Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has long campaigned for a WNBA team in Boston and told the Globe she supports any efforts to move the Sun here. 'I've been pushing for years for Boston to get a WNBA team; I think it would be great for Boston,' she said. 'And that would be great for the WNBA and we saw that for a second year in a row, a sellout crowd at TD Garden. I've been at this for a couple of years. I also think it would be great for the Connecticut Sun to move to Boston and represent all of New England. Advertisement 'We are the hub of New England and the place that basketball was invented. I think it makes a lot of sense.' Related : The Sun have played in Connecticut since 2003, when they relocated from Orlando. The franchise has emerged as one of the WNBA's models, reaching the Finals four times (most recently in 2022), but enthusiasm has declined in recent years. Mohegan Sun Arena is the league's fourth-smallest venue and the Sun lack a dedicated practice facility, instead conducting workouts at the gym inside the Tribe's community and government center. Often, the Sun are forced to share space with summer camps and other local events. This past offseason, the team opted for a major rebuild, allowing its entire starting five to sign elsewhere while coach Stephanie White departed to coach the Indiana Fever. The Sun, despite Friday's win over the defending champion New York Liberty, have a league-worst 5-21 record with new coach Rachid Meziane. Last week, the Sun sent a letter to season ticket-holders ensuring the club will play at Mohegan Sun Arena in the 2026 season. The Boston group is targeting a 2027 move and would potentially play early season games in Providence to avoid any conflict with Bruins and Celtics playoff games. The WNBA has yet to comment on the potential sale. Advertisement According to an NBA source, the Celtics would have no issue with the Sun moving in. Several Celtics players have attended the Sun games at TD Garden and have expressed support for a team in Boston. Healey said she has had conversations with WNBA and NBA officials over the years about a Boston team. With the entries of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and former UConn star Paige Bueckers, the WNBA is in a surge of unprecedented success. The expansion Golden State Valkyries have sold out all 11 home games at Chase Center, also home of the NBA's Golden State Warriors. 'I know the quickest way to get a team to Boston is for the Sun to move to Boston,' Healey told the Globe. 'And I don't want to wait [until 2033]. I don't want Boston or New England to have to wait that long. We've got an incredibly enthusiastic, energized base here that wants to see a 'W' team in Boston and to me this seems to be in everybody's best interests.' Pagliuca, whose bid to buy the Celtics from the Wyc Grousbeck group fell short, has sought to bring a WNBA team to Boston for the past few years. His group aggressively pursued the Sun when the Tribe indicated it was open to a sale. A WNBA source said if the league forces the Mohegan Tribe to sell to a Connecticut-based buyer to leep the team in the state, which it has the power to do, Mohegan will cooperate, but the Tribe's choice is to sell to the Boston-based group. That source said the Tribe has determined selling the franchise would be the most financially lucrative, and it could then concentrate on running its casino and hotel. Advertisement Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at
Boston Globe
3 hours ago
- Boston Globe
After two lost seasons, Marcus Smart beaming at returning to the championship chase with the Lakers
Smart wasn't blamed for the Celtics failure in that franchise-changing series loss to the Heat in 2023, but he was the most disposable part, and the Celtics won a championship the next season. Meanwhile, Smart spent most of his first season away out with a shoulder injury, and because of the emergence of Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells , he became expendable in Memphis and was moved to Washington as a salary dump. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The Wizards generously bought him out, giving him a chance to sign with the Lakers after some recruiting from Doncic. Advertisement Smart is only 31, but he's paid physically for his rugged play. He promises there's more left — more dives on the floor, more jersey-to-jersey defense, and more splashed threes when left wide open. 'It's an honor to be able to play for one of the most historical franchises, let alone play for two, and to be here in purple and gold is a dream,' he said. 'I wish my mom was here to be able to see this. It's exciting. It's something being in the East with Boston, I probably would have never thought of. Being able to play with Luka and LeBron [ James ], two of the best to do it in this game, two greats, the greatest basketball IQ I've seen in this era.' Related : Advertisement Doncic called his agent twice to speak to Smart about signing with LA after he was bought out in Washington. Smart wanted to compete for championships, play with all-time greats, and return to the spotlight. 'And when you get a guy like Luka, calling, referencing, checking on you, trying to see where you're at, to see if you wanted to come to join something special that he's trying to cook up here, for him to say he could really use my help, that meant a lot,' Smart said. 'Played against Luka a lot, been on a lot of opposing ends of Luka Magic. We definitely had a mutual understanding and respect for each other; after every game playing it was always flowers. He has that competitive nature when he's talking. He's intrigued. He really didn't have to say much. His name, his ability, what he has done has spoken for itself.' None of the players the Celtics dealt away in the summer of 2023 fared well. Robert Williams has been mostly injured in Portland. Malcolm Brogdon has played in 63 games in two years, while Smart's time in Memphis was cut short because the franchise was in transition and he became expensive. Now he has a chance to prove he's the same impact defender as three years ago, when he won Defensive Player of the Year with the Celtics. Advertisement 'I'm very motivated,' Smart said. 'The last two years in my eyes have been a disappointment, in terms of, injuries stopped and held me back. It's funny that 12 years ago, I could have been here [via the draft], and now I'm here and everything happens for a reason. People look at me and think, 'Maybe he isn't the same.' And now that allows me to be in a place I'm supposed to be.' Related : Smart is now a Laker, but he deserves a rousing ovation when he returns to TD Garden because of what he contributed to the Celtics. He wants back into competing for titles, and he deserves the opportunity. 'The reason you go out and compete is to try to win championships, and what better place to be able to do that than here, where the show starts and where the show ends,' he said. 'It was a perfect fit here. Getting me back to understanding I still have a lot left in the tank and [ J J ] Redick is going to allow me to show it.' Marcus Smart (left) is expecting some boos when he returns to TD Garden as a member of the Lakers. Michael Dwyer/Associated Press STILL AVAILABLE Free agent options remain on the market It's been a month since free agency began but there are still some intriguing names on the market, a handful of them restricted, that could help teams, including a very familiar name in Boston. Al Horford: Horford is Jonathan Kuminga situation in Golden State. Horford has been pursued by the Warriors, who are looking for a replacement for Kevon Looney . Horford is interested, but the Warriors are trying to create more cap space to make a viable offer. The Celtics would like to have Horford back, but with Jayson Tatum likely out for the season and the franchise taking a step back, it's not the fit it once was. Advertisement Kuminga: The restricted free agent either wants a lucrative contract with the Warriors or a chance to display his talents with another team that will give him more regard than he received last season. Kuminga spent a portion of last season in Steve Kerr's doghouse and was released only when Stephen Curry pulled a hamstring in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against Minnesota. The Warriors have offered Kuminga a two-year, $45 million deal, but it includes a team option for the second season — a nonstarter for Kuminga. Cam Thomas: The Nets' high scorer thought those big numbers he put up for a losing team would allow him to cash in on a potential nine-figure contract, but the question is whether those numbers are empty. Can he be a reliable shooting guard on a winning team? Thomas can score, but the Nets and other clubs need to see him do other things. It's likely he returns to Brooklyn on a qualifying offer and takes his chances next summer as an unrestricted free agent. Josh Giddey: He had a good season with the Bulls after he lost his role in Oklahoma City, but the Bulls aren't exactly big spenders, and Giddey is looking for potentially $30 million per season. There are always sign-and-trade possibilities but Giddey is likely to return to Chicago on a one-year, bet-on-yourself deal. Quentin Grimes: After bouncing around the league the past few years, Grimes found a home with injury-riddled Philadelphia and averaged 21.9 points on nearly 47 percent shooting. The issue is the 76ers are healthy with Paul George , Joel Embiid , Tyrese Maxey , and Jared McCain all back, meaning Grimes's role would be greatly reduced and therefore a lucrative contract offer is likely off the table. Advertisement Again, a sign-and-trade is a possibility but what are other teams willing to give up for that impressive 28-game sample size? He is likely to return to Philadelphia and explore free agency next season. Russell Westbrook: Not sure why Westbrook opted out of the final year of his contract at $3.4 million because the Nuggets simply replaced him with the younger Bruce Brown and moved on. Westbrook turns 37 in November and is only a good fit for a handful of teams. The Kings have been interested, but they already have a glut of guards. It's likely Westbrook will have to accept the league minimum from a team looking for energy and veteran leadership, but he wants a more prominent role. That may no longer be available for the potential Hall of Famer. Malcolm Brogdon: The former Celtic spent the past two seasons playing veteran leader and role model in Portland and Washington. He played a total of 63 games because of injuries and tanking. What does Brogdon have left? The Celtics do have an available spot at point guard and if the club is interested in Ben Simmons , it certainly would entertain a Brogdon reunion. Like Westbrook, Brogdon is likely going to have to accept a vet minimum because of his injuries and lack of production. He is still only 32. Thomas Bryant: It was interesting to see the journeyman playing quality minutes in the NBA Finals. Bryant had his moments in the Pacers' playoff run; he's a backup center at best, but he brings energy, rebounding, and the occasional 3-pointer. Bryant could help a playoff contender with spot minutes. Advertisement When Russell Westbrook opted out of the final year of his contract at $3.4 million, the Nuggets replaced him with the younger Bruce Brown. David Zalubowski/Associated Press ETC. Silver still thinks legalized is better The NBA realized the risks when it decided to partner with gambling sites and embrace the betting world. So far, one player — Jontay Porter — has received a lifetime ban for attempting to fix his statistics to impact prop betting. Former Celtic Terry Rozier remains under FBI investigation for betting. Former Piston Malik Beasley also is under investigation, and remains unsigned pending discipline from the government or league. Meanwhile, former NBA player Marcus Morris , who had a stint with the Celtics, was arrested this past week for apparent fraud for not repaying casino markers. Former All-Star Gilbert Arenas was Kendrick Perkins admitted on social media he had a gambling issue several years ago and had to stop gambling as a result. Gambling in the NBA is becoming an embarrassing issue but commissioner Adam Silver is taking an optimistic approach on the relationship with gambling sites. It's not the maximum-salary players the league has to be concerned with. It's the lower-salary players or players with financial issues who could supplement their earnings with side money from potentially impacting prop bets. Silver said the league will allow the government and police to handle investigations. Related : 'I would just say that any ongoing law enforcement efforts, we are, of course, cooperating with,' he said. 'Those investigators have resources at their disposal that the league office doesn't when we do an investigation. We are cooperating in every way. 'In terms of reservations, I would say a few things. One is if my choice were legalize sports betting versus illegal sports betting, I still think a legalized structure is better. I mean, the very cases we are talking about, as opposed to even in legal systems where players, not necessarily in our league, or bad actors have engaged in illegal activity that was caught from wiretaps or old-school ways of investigating. 'What we're seeing now in some of the investigations you're referencing is aberrational data, which causes in many cases betting companies, independent agencies who are overseeing this betting activity, to then raise flags and say. 'What's happening here?' So I think the issue is, if you didn't have that legalized structure, what would otherwise be going on that went undetected.' Related : Silver has a point. The NBA would rather cooperate and adhere to the rules of legalized betting over the Wild West of yesteryear. Point-shaving scandals challenged the credibility of the game, and Silver believes being completely forthcoming can weed out those attempting to circumvent the system. 'In terms of specific prop bets, I think I've said this before, we do not have control over the specific bets that are made on our game,' Silver said. 'I do think some of the bets are problematic, and we, the league, wish we had more control legislatively over how our intellectual property is used — in these betting companies. We are not a party to those bets. You have — it's not nationalized. You have state by state, creating a legalized framework and then entering into partnerships with betting companies, and that's what sets the terms of engagement. 'It's true, we are beneficiaries in that we have marketing arrangements with those betting companies. I think as a general matter, I'm comfortable that this is a legal activity in the United States, as it is in many other jurisdictions.' Related : Silver defended the NBA's participation in sports betting. Quite honestly, the league feels inclined to use this as another revenue stream with the escalating player salaries. Devin Booker just signed a two-year, $150 million extension, making him the highest paid player by yearly salary in league history. The first $100-million-per-season player is coming and owners want to create as many financial opportunities as possible. 'I think the choice isn't can you eliminate sports betting,' Silver said. 'It's whether it's going to be legal sports betting or illegal sports betting. . . . So to the extent there is bad conduct here, we and the entire industry need to use that as an opportunity to rethink our rules and ensure whether there's additional educational efforts that are necessary. 'But anybody in this league, any player who engages in that activity, there's no question they are putting their livelihood at risk. It's a message that's important that we deliver to our players or anyone who is in our community.' Layups The NBA is serious about branching out to Europe, as evidenced by six regular-season games being scheduled for London, Manchester, Paris, and Berlin over the next three years. The NBA realizes one or even two expansion teams in Europe isn't feasible, but they can organize a league there and also bring more NBA games to the continent. Word out of Las Vegas last month is that Silver and the league's governors are just as much dedicated to a form of European expansion or presence as they are with adding two American teams, meaning Seattle and Las Vegas may have to wait until the league determines a European plan . . . The Celtics waived former second-round pick JD Davison to get under the second salary cap apron, meaning if they keep the roster intact, they'll have more roster flexibility, including their taxpayer midlevel exception of $5.7 million, the ability to aggregate multiple players in a trade, use trade exceptions, and send cash in deals. Davison was quickly snapped up by the Rockets on a two-way contract, meaning he'll have to prove himself once again to earn a standard NBA deal. Davison was the G League MVP last season and is likely to return to the league with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers . . . It appears the Kings are determined to move former first-round pick Devin Carter and high-scoring guard Malik Monk ; they have been included in a potential sign-and-trade deal for Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga . Carter was limited to 36 games as a rookie and shot just 29.5 percent from the 3-point line . . . The Knicks agreed to a four-year, $150 million extension with swingman Mikal Bridges , cementing his status as New York's defensive stopper, but he could have signed a five-year deal if he had waited (and the $35 million per-season price does offer the Knicks some long-term salary cap relief). New York gave five first-round picks to the Nets for Bridges and needed to keep him long term to verify such a large investment . . . The Suns signed sought-after swingman Nigel Hayes-Davis to a guaranteed contract after a successful run in Europe. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was one of the many NBA executives who scouted Hayes-Davis while with Fenerbahce in Turkey. Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at
