The Boston Celtics’ longtime owner Wyc Grousbeck is stepping down sooner than expected, handing the reins to Bill Chisholm, and for Los Angeles Lakers fans, this news should spark genuine excitement and bring a smile to their faces.
The Lakers-Celtics rivalry is the NBA’s most iconic feud. Any disruption in Boston’s stability opens the door for Los Angeles to push ahead.
According to Shams Charania on X, “Wyc Grousbeck will no longer stay on as governor as part of the Boston Celtics' $6.1 billion sale to Bill Chisholm. Plan had been for Grousbeck to remain through 2028. Chisholm assumes governor title and the transfer will be finalized soon.”
This is a big deal. Under Grousbeck, the Celtics were stable, focused, and consistently competitive. He oversaw two titles, including the 2024 championship that pushed Boston ahead of the Lakers in total banners, 18 to 17. Grousbeck was not just an ordinary governor; he was a visible part of the team’s rise and culture.
Celtics shakeup under Grousbeck hands Lakers a golden window
Now, with Chisholm stepping in as governor years earlier than expected, Boston is heading into some unfamiliar territory. Anytime a new figure takes over at the top, especially so soon after a championship, it raises questions.
How involved will Chisholm be? Will he stick with the same basketball philosophy? Can he maintain what Grousbeck built, or will he try to reshape it?
These are not questions Celtics fans are used to asking. Lakers fans should be thrilled.
Over in Los Angeles, the franchise is moving with intent. A $10 billion investment by Mark Walter, paired with the re-signing of Luka Doncic to a three-year, $165 million extension, shows the Lakers are all-in on their future.
Doncic brings star power and a chance to lead the team into a new era. Pair that with LeBron James, who could embrace grace is entering his record-setting 23rd season, and this could be a huge moment.
This contrast matters. While Boston figures out how to navigate a sudden leadership change, the Lakers seem to be focused on the season ahead. In a rivalry where every banner, every NBA Finals trip, and every shift in momentum is magnified, timing is everything.
Lakers fans do not necessarily need Boston to collapse. But if the Celtics take even a small step backward while Los Angeles continues to build forward, those championship numbers could be tied again before long.