Wyc Grousbeck reflects on big offseason changes: ‘we agreed not to bring back the same exact team’

Celtics proprietor Wyc Grousbeck, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, and head coach Joe Mazzulla had been on the identical web page after a disappointing Sport 7 loss within the Jap Convention Finals: they weren’t going to run it again with out making some kind of roster improve.

“We agreed to not deliver again the very same crew once more, however to be open to altering the combo and bringing in further expertise,” Grousbeck told the Boston Globe. “And the results of that to this point this offseason has been Kristaps Porzingis coming in and actually including hopefully so much to our lineup.”

Grousbeck mirrored on the “missed alternatives” of the previous two seasons, acknowledging the Warriors and the Warmth had been each good groups, but additionally noting the Celtics play was inconsistent. Developing in need of a championship in back-to-back years, regardless of such proficient rosters, led management to contemplate making vital roster adjustments that got here as a shock to many.

Photograph by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe through Getty Photographs

“If we’d all agreed we should always maintain issues the identical that might have been high-quality,” Grousbeck. “However the concept of bringing in one other proficient large popped up early within the dialog, and we ended up executing on that concept.”

Grousbeck expressed vital pleasure concerning the Porzingis acquisition, noting that he heard the Wizards large man had a number of different choices however nonetheless selected to be a Celtic.

“I’m actually impressed along with his dedication to being a part of a profitable Celtics crew,” Grousbeck stated. “I met with him when he got here up for the press convention and spent some actual time with him, and he’s so comfortable to be right here. He’s so able to shine at this stage of his profession. However he sees a crew idea, not the KP present. He’s regularly improved over his profession, and he thinks that is his prime.”

When requested about Marcus Sensible, Wyc stated what he’ll miss most about is “his power and his smile,” whereas additionally revealing he and his spouse, Emelia, nonetheless plan on attending Sensible’s upcoming marriage ceremony to longterm girlfriend Maisa Hallum: “That’s the way in which he and we would like it.”

Grousbeck affirmed his dedication to Joe Mazzulla as head coach, noting that Stevens strongly advisable him for the job after Ime Udoka was suspended simply days earlier than coaching camp.

“Brad feels much more strongly about him now, and I agree,” Grousbeck stated. “Joe dealt with that preliminary transition and ultimately your entire season extremely nicely. He’s obtained world-class depth, drive and data. He’s absolutely dedicated to profitable a championship with this group. It’s all he thinks about. … Each breath he takes is about making the Celtics higher and doing a greater job as a coach. He’s all-in.”

Udoka signed a 4-year, $28.5 million contract with the Rockets again in April, which Grousbeck declined to say a lot about. “I’m going to go away the Ime scenario prior to now. We parted methods, so I don’t have further touch upon it, besides I don’t want anyone any ill-will within the league. I clearly ship out good vibes to all people, and we’re shifting ahead.”

He additionally confirmed that whereas a number of different NBA homeowners (Michael Jordan of the Hornets, Marc Lasry of the Bucks) bought their shares this 12 months, he has no real interest in doing so. “I do that for love and for Celtic pleasure, not for any value tags. Interval.”

He additionally does it in pursuit of an 18th championship. “My companions and I made it very clear to Brad that your entire objective is to win a championship, if not a couple of.”

Grousbeck, who just lately attended Jayson Tatum’s charity golf occasion in St. Louis and Jaylen Brown’s contract extension press convention at MIT which put pen to paper on the richest contract in NBA historical past. He affirmed the crew continues to see the Jays as franchise cornerstones.

“They’re one of the best two individuals I may think about constructing a crew round,” Grousbeck stated. “We’ve had them for the reason that starting. We’ve been very fortunate to have them right here for his or her complete careers, and we’re constructing the crew round them.”