Tag: 2024 nba offseason

Former Boston Celtics big man Blake Griffin officiates Payton Pritchard’s wedding

Several former members of the team who have since found new homes or retired from the game were there as well.

You might think that reserve Boston Celtics combo guard Payton Pritchard would be taking it easy after helping his team hang an NBA-record 18th banner this summer. But the Oregon native has been doing the opposite, squeezing in runs before getting hitched with much of the Banner 18 squad in attendance this week.

And it is not just this year’s Celtics alumni who showed up. Several former members of the team who have since found new homes or retired from the game were there as well. At the top of the former list is former Boston big man Blake Griffin, who added a humorous inflection to PP’s big day as he officiated the wedding. 

“At no point tonight am I allowed to do my impersonation of Payton,” said Griffin to more than a few chuckles in a video posted by star Celtics forward Jaylen Brown to social media.

Congrats to Pritchard and his new wife, Instagram influencer Emma MacDonald.

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Former Celtic Gordon Hayward announces retirement from NBA

Gordon Hayward has announced his retirement from the NBA after 14 seasons.

Former Boston Celtic and 14-year veteran Gordon Hayward announced his retirement from the NBA Thursday morning. Hayward spent the end of the 2023-24 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Celtics signed Hayward in the summer of 2017 to a four-year, $128 million contract. With Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, Hayward was set to be an integral part of a new era for Boston. A devastating leg injury less than six minutes into the first game of the next season derailed this hope. He missed the entire 2017-18 regular season, and the vision for this Celtics core never materialized. Hayward returned the following season, but soon enough Horford and Irving left Boston. Hayward remained a key contributor alongside the ascendant Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, however, helping the team reach the conference finals in 2020. After four seasons with the Celtics, Hayward looked for a bigger role, and joined the Charlotte Hornets ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Hayward was an All-Star in 2014, and one of the league’s best offensive players for much of that decade. In his retirement announcement he thanked his parents and family, as well as his fans for providing encouragement in support through the many stages of his career.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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How would you describe the Boston Celtics 2024 NBA offseason so far?

After winning a league-record 18th banner, the Celtics have understandably not felt the need to change much.

How would you describe the Boston Celtics’ 2024 NBA offseason so far? After winning a league-record 18th banner, the Celtics have understandably not felt the need to change much. Living the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” point of view as a ball club, the Celtics instead have spent their break between seasons bringing back the same roster that won Banner 18 with very few changes.

To such an end, Bleacher Report league analyst Zach Buckley had plenty to say about the Celtics’ decision to run it back for their 2024-25 campaign and a run at Banner 19. 

“Boston clearly has a great thing going and recognized as much,” writes the B/R league analyst. “That’s why the Celtics bought back into this core wherever they could.”

“Jayson Tatum scored a bar-raising extension, Derrick White secured his own nine-figure payday and backup bigs Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta all inked new deals,” he adds.

“This roster will cost a fortune to manage—which is perhaps a big reason why the majority stake in this franchise is up for sale—but when the potential return on investment is additional championship rings, it’s hard to fret too much about the finances.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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How would you describe the San Antonio Spurs’ 2024 NBA offseason to date?

San Antonio seemed ready to move faster in their current rebuild. Did they?

How would you describe the San Antonio Spurs‘ 2024 NBA offseason to date? Coming into it after a 2023-24 campaign for the Spurs that saw French rookie forward wunderkind Victor Wembanyama find his groove on the defensive end of the court sooner than expected, San Antonio seemed ready to move faster in their current rebuild.

And while there has yet to be a blockbuster move like a trade for Utah Jazz star forward Lauri Markkanen as has been rumored to be under consideration, there have been plenty of other moves to accelerate the rebuild. After drafting Stephon Castle and Harrison Ingram, the Spurs signed veteran floor general Chris Paul as a free agent.

They also traded for vet Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes for a very low ask. To Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, that looks like “not quite a fast-forward, but moving at 1.24x speed.”

We’d be inclined to agree, as we also see those post-draft moves as impactful, if not transformative. “Having … Paul serve as the on-court extension of Gregg Popovich feels like a cheat code,” he explains.

“Paul might be 39 years old and a shadow of himself as a scorer and defender, but his decision-making remains top-notch … He’ll continuously put Wembanyama in favorable situations, not to mention hopefully have plenty of point-god wisdom to share with … Castle,” writes Buckley.

“And while the Spurs wiggled into the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade to gain a 2031 first-round pick swap with Sacramento, they won’t complain about having … Barnes around,” he notes. … He’ll give San Antonio solid minutes as long as he’s around and hopefully have some pointers to pass along to Devin Vassell.”

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Boston Celtics get high marks for their 2024 NBA offseason

Running it back seems wise, given the result.

The Boston Celtics did very little in the NBA’s 2024 offseason apart from bringing back the team that won the 2024 NBA Championship. But given it was a roster capable of the toughest of team feats in the Association, that plan by the team’s front office seems to be a very wise one.

And despite the relative lack of sexy moves compared to the 2023 offseason and the 2024 trade deadline that saw the Celtics load up on many of those same players, Boston’s offseason is still being held in high regard. To wit, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has given the Celtics high marks for their 2024 offseason moves in a recent league-wide survey.

“The reigning champion Boston Celtics understood the assignment this offseason,” writes Bailey. “They were dominant throughout the regular season and the playoffs.”

“Their roster can play just about any way it needs to. Small, big, wing-heavy. You name it, Boston has it covered,” he added.

“While this offseason’s moves—including big extensions for Derrick White and Jayson Tatum—is going to make the Celtics wildly expensive moving forward, it’s worth it to chase titles (yes, plural).”

“Boston used this summer to signal that it’ll be running back the same core in 2024-25. That was the right choice,” wrote the B/R analyst.

Final grade? An “A”.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Fans get first look next edition of Jayson Tatum’s signature shoes with release of NBA 2K25 cover art

Jayson Tatum’s appearance on the cover of NBA 2K25 offered fans a first look at the next edition of his signature shoes, the Tatum 3s.

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum will be the primary cover athlete for NBA 2K25 when the game launches this September, alongside WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson and future Hall of Famer. In total, 2K sports will release four unique versions of the game, and the covers of each edition were unveiled Wednesday morning.

Hiding in plain sight on the cover of NBA 2K25 is a sneak peek at the unreleased Tatum 3, the third iteration of the All-NBA forward’s signature shoes. Back in February, Tatum said the JT 3s were nearly complete, and that preliminary work on the JT 4s had already begun.

A spokesperson for Jordan Brand confirmed to Celtics Wire that the shoes seen on the new 2K covers were in fact the Tatum 3s, and that details about the sneakers and their release would be available soon.

“It’s really an 18-month process,” Tatum explained in February. “Each shoe, from the day that you come up with the design to the day it hits retail, is an 18-month process. So that’s why a third of the way through the Tatum 1, the Tatum 2 is done.”

 

Tatum is headed to Paris later this month with teammates Jrue Holiday and Derrick White to compete for gold at the 2024 Olympics.

Already this summer, he has unveiled a red, white, and blue edition of the JT 2s. Perhaps we will get a closer look at the JT 3s sooner rather than later.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston Celtics announce new jersey patch sponsorship deal

The Boston Celtics will have a new jersey patch sponsor moving forward thanks to a new partnership with a local business.

The Boston Celtics announced a new partnership with Rhode Island-based company Amica Mutual Insurance. The two sides are signing a multi-year deal that will see Amica’s logo placed on the front of all Celtics jerseys starting next season.

The Celtics and Amica celebrated the news with a press conference and brief photo ceremony outside of TD Garden. Team governor Wyc Grousbeck brought along the Larry O’Brien trophy for the occasion, and Amica CEO Ted Shallcross spoke about the mutually beneficial relationship between his company and the Celtics organization.

With the deal, Amica will also become the “exclusive auto, home, and life insurance partner of the Boston Celtics.” On top of sponsorship, the Amica Companies Foundation and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation are also linking up. Efforts to increase and improve access to early childhood education in underserved communities in the region will be the partnership’s first undertaking.

Teams around the NBA began offering sponsorship patches on team jerseys in 2017. Boston has previously had jersey patch deals with General Electric and more recently Vista Print.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

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YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Previewing the Boston Celtics in the NBA’s 2024 Las Vegas Summer League

Their first contest is slated to be against the Summer Miami Heat on this coming Saturday, July 13.

The Boston Celtics are set to kick off their start to the NBA’s 2024 Las Vegas Summer League a day after the league’s enormous annual exhibition event begins, with their first contest slated to be against the Summer Miami Heat on this coming Saturday, July 13.

The team will have a few Celtics from last season on it, like JD Davison and Jordan Walsh. It will also have the two players Boston took in the 2024 NBA draft, Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson, as well as undrafted free agents like Tristan Enaruna. Expect the full roster to be announced in the coming days, but for now there is a solid base for the Sin City Celtics to work with.

To talk it over, the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, linked up on a recent episode. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about the Summer Celtics this year.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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On the Boston Celtics signing Jayson Tatum to the biggest NBA deal in history

The deal marks the largest contract in NBA history up to this point, passing his teammate Jaylen Brown in that regard.

The Boston Celtics and star forward Jayson Tatum have agreed to a five-year, $315 million supermax contract extension, with a player option on the final year of the deal. The deal marks the largest contract in NBA history up to this point, passing his teammate Jaylen Brown in that regard.

CLNS Media reporter Bobby Manning reacts to this historic deal for the Celtics, breaking down its potential impact. He explores what securing Boston’s entire starting five for the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season means for the Celtics’ future championship ambitions to hang Banner 19 on the heels of their last title.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what he had to say about Tatum’s new deal.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Recapping the Boston Celtics offseason to date

The Celtics have had themselves a VERY busy 2024 NBA offseason so far.

The Boston Celtics have had themselves a VERY busy 2024 NBA offseason so far. They have signed Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Neemias Queta, Luke Kornet, and Xavier Tillman Sr. to new deals, drafted Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson, and inked undrafted free agent Tristan Enaruna to an Exhibit 10 contract.

And on top of all of that, team ownership is working on a sale of majority owner Wyc Grousbeck and his father Irv’s share of the team. It’s enough to make one dizzy! Host of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, Bobby Manning, linked up with Celtics Blog beat writer Noa Dalzell to talk it all over on a recent episode.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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