The Bounce Newsletter 
(I tried to make this joke yesterday, but the Celtics news broke and we had to cut it. So, I’m making it again — pretend it’s yesterday morning.) Let me be the first to tell you that your bracket has been busted. Yes, I double-checked to see if I made this joke on the first Thursday of the tournament last year. I did! But you don’t get mad when Hanson performs “MMMBop,” so why am I on trial for playing the hits?
Champs Are Sold
Does $6.1B sale mean big changes for Boston?
We knew the number was going to be big when Wyc Grousbeck announced the Celtics were up for sale following their 18th NBA championship last summer. We knew it was going to surpass the $4 billion Phoenix Suns and Mercury sale in 2023, and likely hit above $5 billion. Such is the sale of a sports franchise, especially in the NBA. Such is inflation. I mean … the economy, am I right?
With that being said, the Celtics (50-19) garnering the largest North American sports franchise price tag ever still opened many eyes yesterday morning. Bill Chisholm, the managing partner of Symphony Technology Group, bought the Celtics at a record $6.1 billion valuation, beating out the $6.05 billion the Washington Commanders sold for (also in 2023). Grousbeck will remain the CEO and governor of the team through the 2027-28 season before relinquishing full control to Chisholm. The big question: What happens then? Let’s take a look:
What are the financial complications with the Celtics’ roster? To put it lightly: They’re super expensive. That wasn’t so much a problem before this new CBA, but as we’ve been forced to recognize, the second apron looms for successful teams that want to keep their rosters together. Here’s what that will look like in Boston next season, with projected numbers from Bobby Marks on social media:
- Currently under contract: 11 players for $225.2 million
- Estimated minimum salary: $230 million
- Projected luxury tax second apron threshold: $207.8 million
- Projected tax penalty: $270 million
- Projected salary plus tax penalty: $500 million
That’s a lot of gouda! That’s not including Al Horford (turns 39 on June 3), Torrey Craig or Luke Kornet on the roster. They’ll each be free agents this summer. It also means two straight years of being above the second apron, so Boston’s 2033 first-round pick can’t be traded.
How can the Celtics get out of that? They could start by trading Jrue Holiday this summer. It would bring them below the second apron and just above the first apron. It would greatly reduce that tax penalty, and they’d probably see enough flexibility to bring Horford and/or Kornet back on reasonable deals. But we’re still looking at the Celtics having to eventually break up parts of this team. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Kristaps Porziņģis go soon, as he has one year left on his deal.
As long as the Celtics continue to compete for and win titles, the fan base will be fine. The second that gets hamstrung, I’d imagine the new ownership will be under scrutiny. However, Chisholm is getting the team when it’s time for the money to hit the fan.
Will this be a smooth transition? It’s a good question! Steve Pagliuca, a minority owner of the team and former front-runner to buy the franchise, voiced his displeasure about the sale to Chisolm because his own group had no debt or private equity money that could “potentially hamstring our ability to compete in the future.”
This sale still has to be approved by the board of governors, but I’d imagine they won’t deny a record-breaking sale like this.
The Last 24
All the MVP debating info you need
🏀 Most valuable debate. Here is a deep dive into all the angles of the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Nikola Jokić MVP race. Both are historically great candidates.
🔋 Season-saver. Have the Suns (33-37) generated enough energy to salvage a postseason run? They’re back in the Play-In for now.
📺 Don’t miss this game tonight. Grizzlies (43-27) at Clippers (39-30), 10:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV or Fubo (try it free!). The Clippers are looking for five in a row and to get out of Play-In territory.
📺 League Pass gem. Cavaliers (56-13) at Suns, 10 p.m. ET on League Pass (get League Pass here!). Cleveland has lost three straight, which ties its longest losing streak of the season.
About Last Night
Steph Curry hurt his back in Warriors win
The Warriors were dealt a potentially significant blow during last night’s 117-114 win over the Toronto Raptors. In the third quarter, after a drive to the basket, Curry fell hard to the ground and seemed to have injured his lower back/hip area. You can watch the fall and reaction here. He was ruled out the rest of the game with a “pelvic contusion,” and it comes after he missed Tuesday’s game with rest (he admitted his back had been bothering him).
The Warriors (41-29) were fine in this game, thanks to Jimmy Butler’s 16-point, 12-assist, 11-rebound triple-double, but they were also playing the Raptors (24-46), so that helped. Golden State just ended a nice stretch at home, tying a franchise record by going 6-1 in a seven-game homestand. It’s a weird stat, but the broadcast mentioned it. So, I will convey it to you! The Warriors are now heading on the road for the next six games with a 1.5-game lead over the Clippers and Wolves (40-31) for sixth in the West. We’ll see if Curry misses more time.
More NBA action
Pacers 105 (40-29), Nets 99 (23-47), OT: Myles Turner had 23 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and one shoving match with Trendon Watford in Indiana’s win over Brooklyn. The Pacers remain a game ahead of Milwaukee for fourth.
Bulls 128 (30-40), Kings 116 (35-34): DeMar DeRozan became the 27th player in NBA history to score 25,000 regular-season points. But Coby White had 35 points as Kevin Huerter added 25 points, seven assists and four steals in his revenge game against Sacramento.
Hornets 115 (18-51), Knicks 98 (43-26): New York got outscored in every quarter and didn’t even get to 100 points against Charlotte. The Knicks so desperately need a spa day or something. This is their second straight loss to a tanking team.
Bucks 118 (39-30), Lakers 89 (43-26): No Luka Dončić, No LeBron James, No Austin Reaves and no chance against Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks dismantled what was left of the Lakers, and this was over early. But I know you want your Bronny update! He had 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting and five assists off the bench. He was also minus-36 in the game. That last part wasn’t his fault so much, though.
Not a lot of madness on this first day!
I’ll be honest. I was prepared to make this a “First day of March Madness” section and recap all of the cool stuff that happened. And dare I say, it was a mild first day. It was fun, and I loved tracking the tournament. But it was extremely tepid on the court, and we didn’t really have any massive moments.
Mostly everybody took care of business by a healthy margin. But No. 12 McNeese State upset No. 5 Clemson 69-67, and No. 10 Arkansas beat no. 7 Kansas 79-72. Oh, and someone named Drake (No. 11 seed) finally got a win, with the Bulldogs beating No. 6 Missouri 67-57. Give us more madness on Friday!
Tourney Prospects
Five potential NBA Draft picks to scout today
Day 2 of the opening round of the men’s NCAA Tournament has a greater representation of potential top talent in the June draft. Among the five prospects we looked at yesterday, four of them played really well (but Asa Newell lost). One played okay and won. Let’s look at five more in action on Friday! Make sure you check out Sam Vecenie’s Big Board and his latest mock draft.
No. 9 Baylor vs. No. 8 Mississippi St., 12:15 p.m. on CBS
V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor: Guard | Fourth on the big board
Is it outlandish to think a deep tournament run could result in Edgecombe going second overall? Probably! Here are a couple problems with that, though. 1) I think Dylan Harper is the safety valve for a lot of NBA teams after Cooper Flagg. 2) An Edgecombe run would require this Baylor team going through Duke in the second round, and that would be quite the feat. Still, Edgecombe is someone to keep an eye on.
No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s vs. No. 1 Duke, 2:50 p.m. on CBS
Khaman Maluach, Duke: Big | 12th on the big board
I’m all-in on his potential and advocating for him as a top-five pick in this draft. I understand the concerns and the crowded field he’s going against, but he hasn’t been playing basketball that long and already has a great feel for the game with his size and skills. It’s not quite Joel Embiid’s story but maybe a similar version?
No. 13 Grand Canyon vs. No. 4 Maryland, 4:35 p.m. on TBS
Derik Queen, Maryland: Big | Eighth on the big board
Grand Canyon actually has a couple of big guys to potentially throw at Queen, but he’s a problem for anybody to handle. GCU has a good defense, but it doesn’t have to guard guys like this potential top-10 pick. I want to see how he tries to assert dominance early.
No. 11 Xavier vs. No. 6 Illinois, 9:45 p.m. on CBS
Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois: Guard | Fifth on the big board
Which version of Jakučionis are we going to see? The big guard who set the table and shot the lights out from the first half of the season or the guy who couldn’t hit an outside shot during the second half of the season? He’s a borderline top-five pick, and a deep run could clinch that for him. This will be a tough test, though.
No. 9 Oklahoma vs. No. 8 UConn, 9:25 p.m. on TNT
Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma: Guard | 17th on the big board
Fears is probably going to be someone who earns a lottery selection at the combine and in pre-draft workouts rather than the tournament, but a strong showing against the defending champs would be great. He’s not a great shooter but can really play. Can he send Dan Hurley’s players to the transfer portal early?
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(Top photo: David Butler II / Imagn Images )
