Joe Lacob isn’t eager to return home to the Celtics.
The Warriors owner and former Celtics minority owner put to bed any ideas that he would be a top interested buyer of the recent NBA champions as the team is set to go up for sale soon.
“No chance,” Lacob said on “The Athletic NBA Show” on Tuesday. “No chance, sorry. That ship sailed a long time ago — a long, long time ago. I’m a Warrior, this is my identity, it’s our identity. I love what we’ve done. I love our fans, our arena (and) the last decade, and I just want to do more. I just want to create an even longer and even greater legacy for this organization.”
The Massachusetts native was a Celtics minority owner from 2006-10 and went on to buy the Warriors for $450 million and turn the franchise into an esteemed organization within the NBA.
his hometown team. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Lacob was at the helm during the Warriors’ stretch of trips to the NBA Finals with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, and the team has won four championships since he purchased the team.
Only weeks after the Celtics won their NBA-record 18th championship over the Mavericks, the team announced the managing board of the ownership group expected to sell the majority interest of the team in 2024 or early 2025.
The new owner will inherit an expensive roster.
Jayson Tatum signed the most expensive contract in the league’s history this summer — a five-year, $314 million extension — which surpassed Jaylen Brown’s 2023 deal of five years for $303 million.
Derrick White also signed a four-year, $125 million extension.
Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis earned $30 million or more a year to make the Celtics’ payroll be over $200 million by the 2025-26 season.
Forbes’ valuations listed the Celtics at $4.8 billion in 2023.
Current owner Wyc Grousbeck purchased the team for $360 million in 2002.