​LeBron James-Celtics Rumors: Jayson Tatum Weighs In on James Potentially Joining the Team originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Celtics kicked off the offseason with major upheaval. In a blockbuster move, Boston traded star Jaylen Brown to the 76ers in exchange for Paul George and draft picks. With one star heading out, could that open the door for another to arrive? Celtics forward Jayson Tatum isn’t certain.
NBA Free Agency is in full swing, with numerous players finding new destinations while others wait for the right contract. One player still pondering his next move is LeBron James, who is exploring options after eight seasons with the Lakers. The 41-year-old has been connected to a possible return to the Cavaliers, and there are even whispers about a possible superteam with Steph Curry and the Warriors. Could the Celtics be in the mix?
Rich Paul, James’ agent, told ESPN that 27 teams reached out to him, Boston among those shown on a whiteboard shared on social media. The LeBron James chatter is expected to dominate the summer, but Tatum says it hasn’t crossed his mind.
During an interview on TODAY to promote his new children’s book, Tatum was asked how James might fit in Celtics green and whether he would call coach Joe Mazzulla to seal a deal. “Um, you know what, that hasn’t crossed my mind,” Tatum said via NBC Boston. “I have no idea… You know what, you should call him [Mazzulla].”
Despite his age, James remains one of the top free agents on the market, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game last season. He isn’t expected to sign a maximum contract. After suffering an Achilles injury, Tatum appeared in 16 games last season, averaging 21.8 points and 5.3 assists, helping the Celtics reach the playoffs where they were eliminated earlier than hoped.
Beyond Brown’s trade, the Celtics also added forward Mitchell Robinson to a three-year deal and acquired guard Mike Conley. It remains unclear when James will sign with a new team or whether Boston is seriously in the running, but the Celtics will at least keep him on their radar as they continue offseason maneuvering.
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