Jayson Tatum Will not Return Till ‘Absolutely Prepared,’ Says Celtics’ Brad Stevens

When Jayson Tatum ruptured his proper Achilles tendon within the Celtics’ convention semifinals loss the the New York Knicks, every thing about Boston’s quick future modified. However what will not change is the Celtics’ entrance workplace’s prudence in ensuring he has the house and time to make a full restoration.

Boston president of basketball operations Brad Stevens mentioned the All-Star is progressing nicely following surgical procedure final month. However requested about whether or not the crew had put a possible timeline on Tatum’s return, Stevens was definitive that there can be no dashing the star’s rehabilitation.

“We do not and we cannot,” Stevens mentioned Wednesday night time following the primary spherical of the NBA draft. “We can’t put a projected timeline on him for an extended, very long time. … It is child steps proper now. He is really progressed nice, however I do not know what which means in regard to projected timelines. However that shall be in session with him … and everyone else to ensure when he hits the courtroom he’s totally prepared, and totally wholesome. And that would be the precedence.”

Tatum is predicted to overlook most if not all of subsequent season. It has already had implications for subsequent season, with the crew opting to commerce Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Vacation — each key contributors from the 2024 title crew — in an effort to get the crew’s wage underneath the luxurious tax second penalty apron.

However Stevens mentioned All-Star Jaylen Brown has already been again to the Celtics’ coaching facility since he had minimally invasive surgical procedure to scrub up his proper knee. Brown is performing some gentle ball dealing with and work across the rim, Stevens mentioned.

[Related: Why Did The Celtics Trade Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis? What’s Next?]

“We mentioned be prepared for coaching camp and I feel he’ll most likely be going full nicely forward of that,” Stevens mentioned.

Whereas Stevens mentioned league guidelines would not enable him to handle the pending trades of Porzingis or Vacation, he mentioned something they do that offseason is with a watch towards regaining flexibility after a number of seasons with a excessive payroll.

“So far as no matter strikes that these are part of, they’re all separate and exhausting and issues that you will need to do your finest to be sure to put your self in the proper positions,” Stevens mentioned. “We knew this was coming. This is not an enormous shock. … The largest factor for us is ensuring that we steadiness that, maximizing what we will with regard to what we deliver again so we will proceed to construct and develop.”

Tatum’s absence will go away a big gap in Boston’s rotation, no matter what sort of offseason strikes they make. He was All-NBA 1st Group for the fourth season in a row in 2024-2025, and an All-Star for the sixth-straight 12 months. Tatum averaged 26.8 factors, 8.7 rebounds and a career-high 6.6 assists per recreation this previous season, and within the playoffs, jumped his rebounds common to 11.5 per recreation on prime of 28.1 factors.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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Jayson Tatum

Boston Celtics

Nationwide Basketball Affiliation