Many questions surrounding Jayson Tatum's availability for the 2019-20 restart flooded the Boston Celtics amid talks of resuming the NBA season.
The third-year forward, who was named an All-Star for the first time this season, noted why he was unsure and “not thrilled” about restarting play at Walt Disney World in Orlando:
“I was very unsure. I don't really think I made a decision until probably a few days ago,” said Tatum, according to Brian Robb of The Boston Sports Journal. “I'm still not thrilled about it with what we are fighting for in social justice and equality and the virus… and missing family.”
“I'm not thrilled or excited about it because I'm going to be away from my son and family for so long. I'm old enough to make my own decisions and live with it. I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me.”
It was previously rumored that Tatum feared a potential career-derailing injury, as players have been asked to rev up workouts after more than three months of inactivity. Tatum who is also in the eve of a potential max contract extension, put those rumors to rest:
“No. The agreement they came to didn't really affect in a good or bad way my decision,” the Celtics star said. “I saw there were reports out there saying I wasn't going to play because of my contract. I never talked to anyone about that… that would be insensitive for me to be worrying about that during this time.”
Players are sure to have their reservations in joining the bubble, even if the NBA has qualified it as utterly safe for its athletes and personnel. Tatum will have to live with the consequences of earning his paycheck, like many others have been willing to do — but it won't be an easy trip to make in the following days.
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