Khari Thompson

Boston

Tallest writer on the Celtics beat. Words: @BostonDotCom & @BGlobeSports✍🏾. @_HamptonU & @SJI_Update alum. Past stops: @memphisnews @clarionledger

Articles

Magic Johnson roasts Celtics' sale price after Lakers shatter record

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

The Buss family has agreed to sell it’s controlling stake of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise to TWG Global CEO Mark Walter for a record $10 billion, according to multiple reports. The news comes three months after the Grousbeck family reached an agreement to sell the Celtics to William Chisholm for a then-record $6.1 billion. Lakers legend Magic Johnson cracked a joke at the Celtics’ expense while tweeting out a link to a story about the sale.
Ex-Celtics coach Ime Udoka becomes 'one of the highest-paid' NBA coaches with new Rockets deal

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

Former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is staying with the Rockets after signing a long term extension. The complete financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, but according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, it will make Udoka “one of the highest-paid NBA coaches.”“This is an eight-figure deal, annually, I’m told,” Charania said during a recent appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. “You think about Tillman and Patrick Fertitta, rockets ownership, [and] their general manager Rafael Stone.
Trading Derrick White would require a 'Desmond Bane-plus' offer in return, former NBA executive says

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

Although the Celtics have reportedly rebuffed trade offers for Derrick White so far, there is still some chatter about what it would take to snag him away from Boston. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who had a stint as assistant general manager of the Nets several years ago, the package that Orlando sent in exchange for Desmond Bane would not be enough for the Celtics to deal White. Orlando gave up Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four first round picks, and a pick swap for Bane.
'Will not happen'

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

It appears as though Chris Sale will be staying in Atlanta, according to comments from Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopolous during a recent radio interview on 680 The Fan. Sale’s name has been floated in trade rumors recently. Jon Heyman of the New York post said that the Chicago Cubs would dream of trading for Sale.
Celtics roster outlook: Breaking down the forwards

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

Welcome to Boston.com’s three-part Celtics roster series, where we look at how things went in 2025 and what lies ahead for 2026. This is part three, focused on the forwards. Part one, which focused on the big men, can be found here. Part two, which focused on the guards, can be found here. Notes on 2025: The Celtics signed Craig at the trade deadline to round out their bench. The 34-year-old small forward played in 17 games, making three starts.
Tom Brady, Bill Belichick headline ESPN's All-Quarter Century team

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

With a record-six Super Bowls since the start of the new millennium, it’s no surprise that the Patriots are well-represented on ESPN’s All Quarter Century team. ESPN compiled a 53-man roster of the best players and coaches since 2000. Players whose careers started in the 1990s are eligible for the list, but the criteria is based on production from 2000-on. Six Patriots players made the cut. There were three on offense, two on defense, and one on special teams.
Celtics roster outlook: Breaking down the guards

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

Welcome to Boston.com’s three-part Celtics roster series, where we look at how things went in 2025 and what lies ahead for 2026. This is part two, focused on the guards. Part one, which focused on the big men, can be found here. There will be a future post about the wings for part three. Contract status: Four years remaining. Scheduled to make $53.1 million next season. Notes on 2025: Brown played through a partially torn meniscus at the end of the regular season and in the playoffs.
Kevin Durant reportedly wanted to land with Celtics at trade deadline

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

One of most prolific scorers in NBA history wanted to join the Celtics around the trade deadline, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin O’Connor. The Celtics didn’t acquire Kevin Durant then, and they probably can’t make the move now. But, Durant reportedly had a couple of preferred destinations in mind and one of them was Boston. “In fact, Durant has already been denied by his top choices. There were rumblings at the trade deadline KD wanted to land with the Celtics or Knicks,” O’Connell wrote.
Celtics roster outlook: Breaking down the big men

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

Welcome to Boston.com’s three-part Celtics roster series, where we look at how things went in 2025 and what lies ahead for 2026. This is part one, focused on the big men. There will be future posts on guards and wings. Notes on 2025: Horford hits free agency this summer as the Celtics find themselves in an unfavorable luxury tax situation. At age 39, he remains a valuable rotation piece.
David Ortiz weighs in on Rafael Devers trade: 'Players’ egos play a big role sometimes'

1 week ago | boston.com | Khari Thompson

David Ortiz said he knew the situation between Rafael Devers and the Red Sox wasn’t going to end well. Devers, who began his career with playing third base for the Sox, initially bristled at the idea of switching to designated hitter. He made the switch and produced at the plate, but the Red Sox asked him to make another position switch to first base after Triston Casas went down with a season-ending injury. There was just too much going on, Ortiz said.