The Boston Celtics are fully prepared to go next season without Jayson Tatum available for selection.
The Boston Celtics will have quite a tough season in 2025-26. After Jayson Tatum’s brutal Achilles injury, their hopes of competing for a championship next season came crashing down.
As such, the Celtics dismantled their 2024 NBA championship roster. The first step was the Celtics trading Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers.
Next, the Celtics trade Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. Two of their highest earners are now off the books, allowing the Celtics to get under the second apron.
In Tatum’s absence, Jaylen Brown will get the Celtics leadership role he’s always wanted. The former Finals MVP is going to be the sole star for them.
But could Jayson Tatum actually come back and take over that role for the Celtics next season?
Steve Bulpett wrote a piece for Heavy about Jayson Tatum’s recovery. When talking to a scout who saw Tatum at Chris Paul’s youth summer camp, he heard some positive updates.
While Tatum didn’t do anything athletic, the scout noted that he looked way better than most other players who tore their Achilles after three months.
“I’ve seen guys coming back from Achilles tears, and he looked way ahead. I was kind of shocked to see how well he was moving.
“Of course, he didn’t do any running or even jogging, but he was in great shape, and he had no trouble doing his part at the camp.
“I have no idea what any of this means for when he can come back. I’m sure him and the Celtics’ medical people have their program set up, and they’ll make sure that he’s where he needs to be when he does get back. But he looks great right now.”
The Boston Celtics will be thrilled to hear that Tatum’s recovery is going so well. An Achilles injury is one of the toughest to recover from in all sports.
Tatum is progressing well from the injury, but the Celtics still need to be very careful with it. We have seen players struggle to return to form after coming back from an Achilles tear.
In Tatum’s absence, the Celtics need Jaylen Brown to carry them and put them in the best possible position ahead of the playoffs.
If Tatum’s recovery goes well enough that he can return to the team for the playoffs, then the Celtics will be a dangerous team in the playoffs.
