The Boston Celtics are preparing for a busy summer after this season, as they are expected to negotiate with the New Orleans Pelicans about a trade for Anthony Davis. The Pels refused to move AD before last week's trade deadline, despite a massive offer from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Pelicans would reportedly ask the Celtics to include Jayson Tatum in the trade package for AD.
Although the sophomore forward's production this season is a bit down due to the return of All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, New Orleans is still intrigued by Tatum's potential, especially since he's the main reason why the Celtics reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
ESPN analysts Tim McMahon and Brian Windhorst discussed the possibility of Tatum ending up with the Pelicans this summer. Windhorst believes that the 20-year-old up and comer is open to the idea of being New Orleans' franchise player.
“I was talking to the Celtics the other day and they said the worst thing that happened to the Celtics was their success last season. Because now you’ve got Tatum, [Jaylen] Brown, [Terry] Rozier — these young guys are thinking dude, we went to Game 7 of the East Finals without you, Kyrie, without you, Hayward. We’re this level of player … This summer, they could be gone. They might up end in New Orleans [for Davis]. It’s gossip, but the gossip is Jayson Tatum wouldn’t mind if he’s shipped to New Orleans and has a chance to be the face of the franchise somewhere. Because he’s not going to get that opportunity in Boston, at least not in the immediate future.”
If Tatum is indeed traded to the Pelicans this July, he is immediately going to be the franchise's cornerstone. Whether or not the Celtics will be willing to part ways with him is still up in the air though, and that decision might become more difficult especially if Tatum plays well in the postseason.
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