The Boston Celtics were forced to play the waiting game in their quest for the Anthony Davis sweepstakes, given the “Rose Rule” that would prevent Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis (both under a 30-percent cap hold) to be on the same team upon a trade. To do so, they had to first convince the New Orleans Pelicans of their serious intent, which had to include dangling prized forward Jayson Tatum.
Tatum is viewed as the lone young target with All-NBA upside, and considered the major reason the Pelicans were willing to hold out until the offseason to make a trade work.
Asked if the rumors surrounding him bother him, Tatum was nonchalant in response.
“Nah, because I just love to play basketball. I’ll play for whoever wants me, and that organization,” said Jayson Tatum, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. “You know, this is a business, and I understand that it’s not always personal. I’m kind of mature for my age, I understood. I’ve been in this business for a long time, so if it happened it happened, if it didn’t then my job was to just go play basketball.”
For Tatum it was simple — same game, same basketball, same 94-by-50 lines, regardless of what team he's playing for. Not much changes besides the location and the uniform he dons throughout, as the aim of the game remains the same.
“(Celtics officials) would always ask me, ‘How you dealing with it?’ It was always on TV, and in the media,” said Tatum. “(Celtics general manager) Danny (Ainge) and Brad [Stevens](would ask). I was telling them the same thing I’m telling you, ‘Nothing bothers me.’ I’m living out my dream playing in the NBA,’ and I’ll do that wherever.”
There's enough belief that Ainge will try to first pull off a trade without Tatum, who is seen as an integral piece to building a championship roster, but if all else fails, the Celtics might just have to make him a part of that package to secure Davis as their next offseason conquest.
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