While some players in the game have a lot of say over the rosters around them, the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum stays out of those debates. This summer, he’ll try to sign some players, including former Blazers guard Damian Lillard.
But, for the most part, Tatum told Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes that he avoids contributing too much. If he does speak with Boston president Brad Stevens, Tatum says it will be “about whether I would like to play with this guy one day or whether I think he would be a good fit.” So nothing too extravagant.
As a result, Tatum doesn’t hear about breaking Celtics news until the public also finds out, he revealed in his conversation with Haynes. That’s why when the Celtics made huge moves this offseason — whether that was the Jrue Holiday deal or the Marcus Smart/Kristaps Porzingis trade — it also caught him by surprise.
“I saw on Twitter that we traded for Jrue Holiday and likewise with K.P. and trading Smart,” Tatum told Haynes. “I never want to get involved with things like that. My job is to show up and play. It’s not my job to trade and handpick guys or anything like that.”
To be fair to Tatum, the front office has surrounded him with talented teams — especially in the last couple seasons. The C’s themselves are taking some gambles by bringing in Holiday and Porzingis, but they’re upgrades for a title-contending roster. It’s clear, too, ownership is willing to spend to ensure the Celtics are competing for the foreseeable future
Still, it’s admittedly bittersweet for Tatum as he saw multiple teammates depart from last year’s roster. He spent extended time with Smart, Robert Williams III and Grant Williams, but they’re all on different teams this upcoming season. But Tatum said he understands the business aspect of the league, plus the Celtics made some big upgrades on the roster.
“A lot of those guys that we traded, I was really close with,” Tatum stated. “I’ve spent almost my entire career with Smart, almost my entire career with Grant and Rob, and a year with Malcolm (Brogdon).” It’s always difficult to watch guys leave, especially on such short notice.”
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