Wyc Grousbeck talked to the Boston Globe about the Celtics roster shakeup this summer, where the C’s traded starting point guard Marcus Smart and backup forward Grant Williams and brought in 7-foot-3 big man Kristaps Porzingis.
“We had really talented teams for the last two years,” Grousbeck explained. “But inconsistency at the end of each of the last two seasons cost us. It felt like we could have done a better job and had a better outcome. So I lump the last two seasons together and say that they were missed opportunities.”
Those missed opportunities included losing two games at home after leading the Golden State Warriors 2-1 in the NBA Finals, then dropping another home Game 7 last year after coming back from 3-0 down against the Miami Heat. Ultimately Grousbeck, along with coach Joe Mazzulla and GM Brad Stevens, agreed to “changing the mix.”
While he spoke admirably about Porzingis’ “force” and called him a “seasoned and effective player,” Grousbeck seemed most impressed that the Latvian big man wanted to go to Boston so badly.
“He chose us,” Grousbeck said. “There were other people, I hear, that wanted him. And he chose us. He wants to be here, and he wants to win a ring.”
Not only did Porzingis OK the trade, but he also signed a two-year extension. It might be a risk for a player who’s averaged over 25 missed games the past three years, but the Celtics aren’t letting the new CBA curb their spending, as seen with Jaylen Brown’s record contract extension — even if there are new, stiff penalties for spending big.
“The league doesn’t allow us to comment on the details of the CBA, but having said that, we’re obviously all-in,” said Grousbeck.
The Celtics won’t have to worry about cost-cutting measures either, if the owner is to be believed, even if increased salary costs and skyrocketing franchise values would tempt to him to sell the team.
“I did this for love and Celtics pride. Not for any price tags,” Grousbeck emphasized.
Fans need to hope that the price of Boston’s first luxury tax payment doesn’t change his mind.Â
