Podcast Summary: Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective
Episode: Record Breaking Sale For Celtics, Ranking The 11 Best Rebuilding Teams, East Seeding Battles
Release Date: March 21, 2025

I. Record-Breaking Sale of the Boston Celtics

A. Overview of the Sale

The episode opens with a significant announcement regarding the Boston Celtics. Zach Lowe introduces the major news:

"[03:06]* Zach Lowe: "The Boston Celtics have agreed to sell in principle to a group led by private equity... Bill Chisholm... $6.1 billion valuation... highest sale for an NBA team by 50%..."*

B. Details of the Sale

Tim Bontemps delves deeper into the implications of this monumental sale:

"[03:06]* Tim Bontemps: "Yeah, I mean, it's important when a team is about to be a $500 million team and the most expensive team in the history of the NBA, which is where the Celtics are headed this summer if they don't remove anybody from the roster..."*

He highlights that the Celtics are now the most valuable NBA team, surpassing previous records set by teams like the Phoenix Suns.

C. Impact on NBA Expansion

The sale's size has broader implications for the league, particularly concerning potential expansion:

"[05:47]* Zach Lowe: "It's going to have potentially a very big impact on the possibility of expansion...The higher the number came in on this sale, the greater the likelihood of that process moving along and there being at least one, if not likely, two teams added to the league at some point in the future."*

D. Ownership Structure and Future Decisions

There is uncertainty surrounding the new ownership's structure and their future decisions for the team:

"[07:29]* Tim Bontemps: "When he says they have no debt or private equity money that would potentially hamstring our ability to compete in the future...it remains to be seen how willing and able they'll be to pay those kinds of monies to keep this team together."*

This section underscores the complexities and potential challenges the Celtics might face under new ownership.

II. Comparative Team Valuations and Sales

A. The Mavericks vs. The Suns

Zach Lowe reminisces about previous team sales, specifically comparing the Mavericks' sale to the Suns':

"[05:47]* Zach Lowe: "You remember when the Mavericks sold, they sold for I think 3.5 billion less than the Suns, which to this day remains a fascinating development because I think Dallas is a bigger and better market than Phoenix."*

B. Mark Cuban’s Role and Comments

The discussion touches on Mark Cuban's involvement with the Mavericks and his comments post-sale:

"[06:13]* Brian Windhorst: "He said he would be in charge of basketball forevermore."*

"[06:26]* Zach Lowe: "Forevermore. Right. I couldn't remember, I couldn't remember the, the terms that he, the, the actual verbiage."*

However, it’s noted that Cuban's role may not be as enduring as he initially suggested.

III. The Los Angeles Clippers’ Resurgence

A. Recent Performance Highlights

The Clippers have shown a notable comeback, highlighted by their recent victories:

"[19:00]* Zach Lowe: "They’ve won seven out of eight games, including the game you were at earlier this week where they put up 135... on the Cavs."*

B. Key Player Contributions

James Harden and Kawhi Leonard have been pivotal in the Clippers' recent successes:

"[20:11]* Brian Windhorst: "Kawhi was doing whatever he wanted, getting to his spots."*

"[20:25]* Zach Lowe: "He just came back. Norm Powell has had a phenomenal year and he just came back."*

Their performances have reinvigorated the team's energy and competitiveness in the Western Conference.

IV. Defensive Player of the Year Race

A. Evan Mobley’s Candidacy

The discussion centers around Evan Mobley and his standing in the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) race:

"[22:49]* Tim Bontemps: "He's certainly in the conversation for it. I don't know if he's front runner, but he's way..."*

B. Other Contenders

Other notable DPOY contenders include Dyson Daniels, Lou Dort, and Draymond Green:

"[27:59]* Tim Bontemps: "I just think, this is a very tight defensive Player of the year race..."*

"[28:20]* Tim Bontemps: "He's going to be on my all NBA ballot. He's having a great year."*

The panel debates the merits and challenges each candidate faces, considering both individual performances and team defenses.

V. Player Participation Policy and NBA Integrity

A. Investigation into the Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz faced scrutiny for potential violations of the NBA's player participation policy:

"[32:34]* Zach Lowe: "The Jazz got fined a hundred thousand dollars last week for... player participation."*

B. Impact on League Reputation

Tim Bontemps expresses concern over the league's handling of player participation and injury reporting:

"[37:04]* Tim Bontemps: "And therefore, the credibility is all over the place... It's just a mess."*

This segment critiques the NBA's inconsistent enforcement of policies, leading to widespread issues like tanking and unreliable injury reports.

VI. Ranking the 11 Best Rebuilding NBA Teams

A. Number One: San Antonio Spurs

Tim Bontemps ranks the Spurs as the top rebuilding team, citing their acquisition of Victor Wembanyama and strong draft assets:

"[47:08]* Zach Lowe: "Number one you've got is the Spurs. Totally agree."*

"[48:25]* Tim Bontemps: "The reason they're number one is because they got the 7, the 75 dude from France."*

B. Number Two: Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are ranked second due to their young talent and potential acquisition of Cooper Flag:

"[48:34]* Zach Lowe: "The number two ranked team on the rebuild, you hear you have the Charlotte Hornets. This surprised me."*

"[49:11]* Tim Bontemps: "They have Lamelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Mark Williams... a very good chance of getting Cooper Flag."*

C. Other Ranked Teams (3-11)

The remaining teams, including Washington, Brooklyn, Utah, Detroit Pistons, and others, are discussed with varying degrees of agreement and debate among the hosts:

"[47:40]* Zach Lowe: "And so like I, I mean all honesty, like how you rank, you know, the Wizards relative to the Jazz, you know, like we could have a conversation about that, but you're just sort of putting it out there."*

"[49:33]* Tim Bontemps: "They have way more present day talent than those teams and they have a very good chance of getting Cooper flag."*

The panel acknowledges the fluidity of rankings, especially with upcoming draft lotteries potentially reshuffling team standings.

VII. East Seeding Battles and Playoff Implications

A. Current Standings and Key Matchups

The conversation shifts to the Eastern Conference, highlighting critical games and potential playoff seedings:

"[42:13]* Zach Lowe: "Cade Cunningham banked in a three pointer at the buzzer to give the Heat their ninth consecutive loss."*

"[43:57]* Tim Bontemps: "They need Evan Mobley to cover up a whole bunch of defensive issues..."*

B. Teams to Watch

Teams such as the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Indiana Pacers are highlighted for their playoff potential and key player performances:

"[44:15]* Tim Bontemps: "They cannot get stops down the stretch of that game. ... Dewar Health's defense."*

"[45:17]* Zach Lowe: "The Pacers were losing to the Mavericks...They have a way better chance of getting Cooper flag."*

C. Player Performances Affecting Playoffs

Individual performances, especially in clutch situations, are emphasized as pivotal for playoff success:

"[27:34]* Brian Windhorst: "They were overpowered by the Cavs... DeMar DeRozan is one of the great clutch scorers."*

VIII. League-Wide Issues and Future Outlook

A. Tanking and Its Consequences

The hosts express frustration over rampant tanking and its negative impact on the league's integrity:

"[53:25]* Tim Bontemps: "Yeah, it's really bad... teams are trying to get Cooper Flag."*

B. Future Prospects for Expansion and Team Valuations

The high sale of the Celtics is used as a benchmark for future team valuations and the potential for league expansion, suggesting that the NBA is moving towards adding more teams:

"[12:16]* Zach Lowe: "It may not be only up to him. If there's a group, it depends on what their agreement is."*

C. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with reflections on the discussed topics, emphasizing the ongoing challenges and exciting developments within the NBA.

Notable Quotes

• Zach Lowe [03:06]:
  "The Boston Celtics have agreed to sell in principle to a group led by private equity... Bill Chisholm... $6.1 billion valuation... highest sale for an NBA team by 50%."

• Tim Bontemps [03:06]:
  "It's going to have potentially a very big impact on the possibility of expansion... the higher the number came in on this sale, the greater the likelihood of that process moving along and there being at least one, if not likely, two teams added to the league at some point in the future."

• Brian Windhorst [20:11]:
  "Kawhi was doing whatever he wanted, getting to his spots."

• Zach Lowe [53:25]:
  "And so the tanking is going on right now, because everybody else in the league that are these decision makers at these teams have the same analysis as Bontemps here and they know the difference between being seventh or ninth in this is getting in that top four."

Conclusion

This episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective provides an in-depth analysis of the Boston Celtics' record-breaking sale, the dynamics of NBA team valuations, the resurgence of the Clippers, the competitive race for the Defensive Player of the Year, and the ongoing struggles with the league's player participation policies. Additionally, the hosts rank the top 11 rebuilding teams, offering insights into their strategies and future potentials. The episode underscores the complexities of NBA team management, the financial implications of ownership changes, and the broader impact on league expansion and competitive balance.