[1] During the off-season, the Celtics acquired Vin Baker and Shammond Williams from the Seattle SuperSonics,[2][3][4] and signed free agent and undrafted rookie J.R.
[5][6] The Celtics posted a six-game winning streak after losing their first two games, and got off to a solid 16–7 start, holding a 27–22 record at the All-Star break.
[7] At midseason, Williams was traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for former Celtics center Mark Blount.
[16][17][18] The Nets would reach the Finals for the second consecutive year, but would lose in six games to the San Antonio Spurs.
[25] The franchise gained new owners that season when Paul Gaston sold the team to the Boston Basketball Partners, represented by Wyc Grousbeck, in the fall of 2002.