The Boston Celtics have continued to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the NBA, maintaining an impressive level of performance since their championship win.
Much of this success can be attributed to the strong roster that the team has built. The Celtics front office has played a key role in this achievement, managing to bring back the majority of their championship-winning rotation while still making smart moves to maintain their competitive edge.
Recently, the Celtics front office received significant recognition in a survey conducted by The Athletic, where 40 NBA executives were asked to rank the top front offices in the league.
In this survey, the Celtics’ front office earned second place, securing 250 points. The ranking was determined using a system similar to MVP voting, where first-place votes earned 10 points, second-place votes received 7, and so on.
While the Celtics performed well, they didn’t take the top spot. That honor went to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who garnered an impressive 354 points, reflecting their successful rebuilding efforts and the potential they have moving forward.
Following the Celtics were the Miami Heat in third place with 114 points, the Memphis Grizzlies in fourth place with 64 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves in fifth with 54 points.
Despite being the reigning champions, the Celtics’ second-place finish in the rankings shows that other teams are making their mark in the front office category as well.
Boston’s solid season start, currently at 19-5 and sitting second in the Eastern Conference, helps bolster their front office’s reputation.
Notably, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, was awarded Executive of the Year last season, further validating the team’s impressive leadership.
However, even with all of these accolades, the Celtics are not without their challenges, as they face significant financial hurdles in the coming seasons.
The team’s high roster costs and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding their ownership status could complicate matters in the future.
The Thunder’s rise to the top spot in the front office rankings comes as no surprise given their remarkable efforts to stockpile draft picks and talent over the past few years.
With a promising young core that includes players like Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City has positioned itself well for sustained success.
At present, the Thunder are tied with the Celtics at 19-5 and leading the Western Conference, making their front office’s work all the more impressive.
Looking ahead, the Celtics remain in a strong position to defend their title, but their long-term future may depend on the decisions made by potential new ownership.
As The Athletic pointed out, Boston’s current roster, while talented, will become increasingly expensive, raising questions about whether the team can afford to keep it intact.
Should new owners take the reins, their willingness to pay hefty luxury tax penalties could determine whether the Celtics can maintain their championship-caliber roster or face tough decisions on how to adjust the team’s composition. Regardless, for now, the Celtics’ front office is in a great position, and the team has a legitimate shot at winning back-to-back championships.