In a subscription column, noted journalist Marc Stein revealed that New York's Nick may have looked into the possibility of poaching head coach Joe Mazzulla from the Celtic.

Marc Stein writes, "However, there were rumors that the Nats may have done some secret research to determine if there was any way to poach Celtic's Joe Mazzulla. The results were apparently no. ...... After that, Celtic extended Joe Mazzulla's contract in August. Mazzulla's contract."

Joe Mazzulla has been an assistant coach with the Greens since the 19/20 season and became head coach in the 22/23 season, leading the team to the 2024 championship with a total regular season record of 182 wins and 64 losses over the last three seasons, a 74% winning percentage, and 33 wins and 17 losses in the playoffs, a 66% winning percentage.