Boston Celtics forward seemed Jayson Tatum to be among the brightest prospects coming out of the 2018 NBA Draft, a close third in the Rookie of the Year race after a dazzling display in a deep playoff run that saw him take over as the team's leading scorer. Yet the sample size from this season has raised questions about his potential, including an unforeseen comparison to perennial scorer Carmelo Anthony.
While Ben Simmons walked away with the Rookie of the Year award, Donovan Mitchell was a close second, with Tatum trailing as the third-best product out of that draft class. Yet opinions vary from different front office members in the league.
“I think it's from a value standpoint,” one East executive said, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “I think there are less Tatums than Mitchells — 6-foot-8 primary scorers on teams than 6-foot-2 ones.”
“Tatum is, overall, the most well-rounded,” another said.
While Tatum does possess a well-balanced game, some worry he might have already peaked as a player, with little left in his young skill set to expand.
“Tatum might be Carmelo [Anthony],” one West executive said. “He needs the ball in his hands.”
“Tatum is a complementary player,” an East executive said.
Out of the three young guns, Jayson Tatum is perhaps the toughest to evaluate, given his role is capped by a superstar in Kyrie Irving and several veterans with an established role, forcing him to fit inside a core, rather than having the offense follow his lead, as it did during the last playoff run.
Only time will tell is Tatum could develop into more than a support scorer, as his second year is way too early to properly evaluate his potential, regardless of what front office heads may deem appropriate.
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