The Boston Celtics were reportedly targeting a Paul George trade before the 2017-18 season started, but once they watched Jayson Tatum's second draft workout, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge had a change of heart.
According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, the Celtics had hoped to acquire a draft pick a few spots lower than No. 1 and other assets to flip in a separate trade for George. The Indiana Pacers were in the process of trying to trade George, who was eventually dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Tatum worked out for a second time with Boston and the Celtics began targeting him:
Fultz shot poorly in his second workout with the Celtics, and Ainge began exploring trades to move down—league sources said Boston hoped to acquire a pick a few spots lower than no. 1 and gather other assets to flip in a separate trade for Paul George, who was dealt later that summer to the Thunder.
The Celtics watched Jayson Tatum work out for a second time, and he shined, hitting nearly 90 percent of his shots off the catch from 3 and off the dribble from all over the floor. Whether they moved down or not, the Celtics were targeting Tatum. “You saw the change of heart,” said one league source familiar with Tatum’s second and final workout with Boston. “Danny was like ‘OK, we’re getting this kid,’ and a few days later they made the trade.” The trade sent the first pick to the 76ers (who selected Fultz) for the third pick, where the Celtics selected Tatum, and a future first.
Tatum made his first All-Star team this season. He's averaging 23.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Celtics while shooting 45.0 percent from the field, 39.6 percent from beyond the arc and 81.6 percent from the free-throw line.
The Celtics are 41-18 on the season. They are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Point guard Kemba Walker may be the most accomplished player on the Celtics, but some believe it's Tatum who is going to take Boston as far as it can go in the playoffs.
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