Former Duke forward Jayson Tatum met with the Celtics on Monday, working out for Boston at the team’s practice facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, a source tells Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com. It was the first time that Tatum had paid a visit to the C’s.
The Celtics confirmed on Monday afternoon that their trade with the Sixers, which will see them move down from No. 1 to No. 3, is now official. While we know that Philadelphia will use its newly-acquired pick on Markelle Fultz, it’s still not clear which prospect Boston will draft at No. 3.
Josh Jackson is viewed as the favorite for the Celtics, but there are increased rumblings that Tatum remains very much in the mix as well. Lonzo Ball also figures to be an option if the Lakers pass on him with the second overall selection, though it remains to be seen if he and/or Jackson will work out for Boston before Thursday.
Speaking to reporters today, Celtics president Danny Ainge said that the team believes “there’s a really good chance the player we’ll take at No. 3 is the player we would have taken at No. 1” (Twitter link via Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe). However, he also suggested the team hasn’t necessarily zeroed in one specific player, indicating that there may be multiple players the team would happy with at No. 3 (Twitter link via Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com).
While I wouldn’t expect the Celtics to move down any further than they already have, it’s worth noting that ESPN’s Chad Ford reported the Suns (No. 4) have talked to Boston about a deal. Phoenix reportedly has its eye on either Ball or Jackson, so if the Celtics would be happy with Tatum, it will be interesting to see if Ainge is willing to discuss moving down again in a deal with the Suns. For what it’s worth, Ford tweets that the Celtics have Jackson and Tatum ranked as first-tier prospects alongside Fultz and Ball.
Tatum just might be their guy. Maybe get another asset from Phoenix and select him 4th.
The kid looks like he will be a star, he can play the 2-3-4 and run an offense as well as get his own shot in the post or off isolations or comint off picks. He would fit in nicely but man the Suns have to be thinking about how good he would be alongside Booker, plus he can play the 4. Boston should just trade the pick to Boston for Jimmy already. What is Norman’s obsession with Butler, the Bulls are going nowhere with him unless they bring in Anthony Davis to play the 4.
It makes as much sense to take Tatum as it does to take Jackson. They just used the third pick of an NBA draft on a SF. They have a pretty good SF in Crowder. And their big FA target is yet another SF. Look, I don’t know much about building an NBA team, but unless you get extra points for having more SFs than any one else – the Celtics should probably diversify their roster.
You care way too much about traditional positions in 2017, but maybe you haven’t watched GS play
you’re right. I should watch the Warriors sometime. Help me out, though. They’re the team that has a bunch of players that can’t shoot the ball, right?
Wow you are just inept… ba dum ch
But for real the Celtics play weird lineups. 3 guards 1 wing 1 big, 1 guard 3 wings 1 big, 2-2-1, 2-1-2, 1-2-2, you get the idea. They’d figure it out.
I could see them considering Tatum at the 4 spot, which is a need for them. They might think he’s the next Paul Pierce. Personally, I like the fit with Isaac better, but that’s not a reach at 3. I just have to think they know the lakers aren’t taking Jackson before they made the deal. I still think the Lakers should take Jackson/Fox though
Fultz will go 1 for sure. I don’t think the Lakers are 100% sold on Lonzo I think they’ll take Jackson, Tatum goes 3 to the Celtics, and Lonzo goes to Phoenix at 4
Scouting reports on Tatum not what you would typically expect for a guy in whom Ainge would be interested; “inconsistent defensive intensity; at times just goes through motions on defense; closeouts are lazy; streaky mid range shooter; etc.” Not to say he isn’t a terrific scorer and very talented, just not what I think Ainge would draft. Another diversion by Ainge?