Jayson Tatum Mulling Sitting Out Rest Of Season
January 29: Tatum told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN on Wednesday night that he remains undecided about whether or not he’ll return this season.
“(I want) to get it right the first time, so it’s just a lot to think about,” Tatum said.
January 28: The prospect of Jayson Tatum returning this season from the Achilles rupture that has sidelined him since last spring’s playoffs grew murkier on Wednesday night, as NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Tatum is reevaluating the idea and considering sitting out the rest of the Celtics‘ season (Twitter video link).
While it appeared Tatum was getting closer to being able to make his anticipated season debut, Haynes says the star wing’s return is now considered “up in the air.”
According to Haynes, Tatum previously told him that he had planned on coming back this season, but league sources say the situation has changed for “a couple” reasons, though Haynes didn’t elaborate on what those reasons were.
As Brian Robb of MassLive writes, in a recent podcast appearance, Tatum discussed the Celtics’ success without him this season and addressed how that delicate chemistry could impact his decision to suit up this year.
“They have an identity this year or things that they felt has clicked for them and has been successful,” Tatum said. “There is a thought in my head, ‘How does that work?’ or ‘How does that look with me integrating myself off with injury and 50, 60 games into a season?’“
Boston holds a 29-18 record after Wednesday night’s loss to the Hawks, and is tied for the second seed in the East while being led by Jaylen Brown, who is averaging career highs in points (29.6), rebounds (6.8), assists (4.9), field goal attempts (22.5), and free throw attempts (7.3) per game. Tatum expressed some concern that his presence could change the dynamic of the team.
“Obviously, there could be some challenges,” he said. “It is a thought like, ‘Damn, do I come back? Or should I wait?’ It’s something that, recently, in the last two weeks or so [I] just kind of contemplate every single day.”
That said, Haynes’ report certainly doesn’t rule out the possibility of Tatum coming back this season if he feels physically and mentally ready to do so. It’s unclear how Tatum’s status might impact the Celtics’ approach to the trade deadline, as there have been reports that the team’s somewhat unexpected success could lead to them being buyers at the deadline, with ducking the luxury tax no longer considered a top priority.
Eastern Notes: Thomas, Bulls, Tatum, Bucks
All signs point to Cam Thomas‘ days in Brooklyn being numbered, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required), who says most league observers he spoke to about the subject expect Thomas and the Nets to go their separate ways either at the trade deadline or in the offseason.
While a midseason trade remains possible, Thomas owns a de facto no-trade clause after accepting his one-year, $6MM qualifying offer as a restricted free agent in 2025, so he would have to sign off on any deal involving him. The 24-year-old’s value is also at a low point, Lewis notes, given that he has spent much of the past season-and-a-half battling hamstring issues and is shooting a career-worst 40.5% from the field this season.
Whether or not Thomas is traded by February 5, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and he’ll have new representation at that time. After hiring agent Alex Saratsis of Octagon in 2024, Thomas has moved on from Saratsis and signed with Thad Foucher of Wasserman, Lewis confirms.
Here are a few more items of interest from around the Eastern Conference:
- Checking in on the Bulls‘ trade options ahead of the deadline, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times confirms that the team has talked to the Pelicans about second-year center Yves Missi and says the Timberwolves have inquired on guards Ayo Dosunmu and Tre Jones in addition to Coby White. It could be tricky for the Bulls to make a deal for Missi since they’re not looking to part with draft assets, Cowley writes.
- The Celtics have defied expectations by remaining a legitimate contender this season even without All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe (subscription required). The team has a posted a 26-16 record so far, and while there’s still no formal timeline for Tatum’s return from an Achilles tear, he continues to shown signs of progress — on Monday, he went through a one-hour workout with media in attendance, per Jay King of The Athletic. Head coach Joe Mazzulla deferred to the Celtics’ medical and sports science staff on Tatum, but said it was “interesting” that the 27-year-old did Monday’s on-court drills in front of reporters after having done most of his rehab work behind closed doors.
- The Bucks snapped a three-game losing streak on Monday in Atlanta after head coach Doc Rivers replaced guard Kevin Porter Jr. with forward Kyle Kuzma in his starting five. The results were mixed – the new lineup was outscored by one point during its 20 minutes on the court – and Rivers admitted he’s not sure if he’ll stick with it, but he explained why he wanted to try a different look. “Just size. We thought putting size in the lineup would be great,” Rivers said, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “And when you do that, you have to separate the guards. And I mean, our second unit was all plus tonight, so I thought it went really well for us. Pete Nance was phenomenal.”
Celtics Notes: Porzingis, Simons, Gafford, JJJ, Tatum
The Celtics have their first meeting of the season with the Hawks tonight, but they won’t be facing former teammate Kristaps Porzingis, writes Brian Robb of MassLive. Porzingis, who was sent to Atlanta in a three-team trade last summer, is sidelined with left Achilles tendinitis and will miss his fourth straight game. He battled an illness earlier in the season and has only been available for 17 of the Hawks’ first 43 contests.
Porzingis has played well when he has been healthy, averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24.3 minutes per night, but his absences have contributed to the Hawks’ slow start. They were expected to be among the top teams in the East after a flurry of offseason moves, but they’re currently stuck in play-in territory at 20-23.
Jaylen Brown, who developed a friendly relationship with Porzingis during their two years as teammates, talked at Saturday morning’s shootaround about seeing him again, per Souichi Terada of MassLive.
“He’s in my hometown,” said Brown, who hails from Atlanta. “I remember we did a segment when he was in Boston and we came to Atlanta. I took him to American Deli and he went up to my high school as well. So I feel like that was kind of me helping him get introduced to the city. Hopefully he’s enjoyed it. Atlanta has many things to offer historically, so hopefully he’s having a great time. I haven’t communicated with him as much, but it’ll be great to see him tonight if he’s here.”
There’s more on the Celtics:
- Anfernee Simons continues to make it tough for the team to think about trading him, Robb notes in a separate story. Simons seemed destined for a short stay in Boston when he was acquired from Portland last summer, but his scoring off the bench has become a major weapon, including a 39-point outing in Thursday’s win over Miami. The Celtics are believed to be in the market for another center, and Simons’ $27.8MM expiring contract could be useful in matching salaries. Robb states that team president Brad Stevens faces a difficult decision on whether to part with Simons, who has played an important role in the team’s rise to contention.
- With the Celtics rumored to be among the teams interested in trading for Daniel Gafford, Robb examines what a potential deal with the Mavericks might look like. In another piece, Robb expresses skepticism that Boston will make a serious bid for Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. considering the size of his contract over the next four years and the team’s other financial commitments.
- A league source tells Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (subscription required) that Jayson Tatum is still improving as he works his way back from the Achilles tear he suffered last May. There’s no official medical update, but Jordan Walsh offered an insider’s perspective, saying, “He looks better than he did when he started. So, he’s making progress. He’s in the gym all day, every day. He’s definitely making progress.”
Celtics Notes: Hauser, Tatum, Brown, Walsh, Queta
Sam Hauser rediscovering his long-distance shot could have a bigger impact on the Celtics than any potential trade before the deadline, writes Souichi Terada of MassLive. After struggling from three-point range for most of the season, Hauser drilled 5-of-6 attempts in Friday’s win over Miami.
“It’s great to see it go down,” Hauser said. “Always. It’s just kind of the way the year’s been so far, but I’ve started like this before in past seasons. So, I’m pretty confident on getting back to where I know I can get to.”
A 42% three-point shooter throughout his career, Hauser was languishing at 34% for the season coming into Friday. Terada points out that Hauser has experienced hot-and-cold stretches before, including a year ago when he shot poorly from beyond the arc for the first month and a half, then topped 42.6% each month for the rest of the season.
“I feel like sometimes shot-making is contagious,” Hauser said. “And once you see a couple guys make a couple, then you make a couple. Then it’s like you just feed off each other’s energy. And sometimes you have quarters like that where it’s just an explosion.”
There’s more from Boston:
- Count Jaylen Brown among the believers that Jayson Tatum will return from his Achilles tear and play at some point this season. Brown expressed confidence in his teammate’s recuperative powers in a stream this week with DDG, Terada relays in a separate story. “JT just always recovers,” Brown said. “He always recovers. … He’ll probably break the record for fastest recovery in Achilles history or some (expletive). I wouldn’t put it past him.”
- Brown was held out of Saturday’s game at Toronto with a non-COVID illness, per Brian Robb of MassLive. Brown had 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 35 minutes on Friday, but he wasn’t available to talk to the media after the game.
- Strong starts to the season by Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta could cause the Celtics to consider extensions with both players, Robb states in a mailbag column. The team holds a $2.4MM option on Walsh for next season, but that could be declined in favor of a long-term deal that would prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. Queta won’t become eligible until next season, but Robb believes an extension is possible if he sustains his current level of play.
- Walsh played fewer than 13 minutes on Saturday, but coach Joe Mazzulla explained that it was due to an illness he was experiencing before the game, tweets Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.
Stevens: Celtics May Consider Buying At Trade Deadline
The Celtics have been one of the surprise stories of the 2025/26 season, boasting the 10th-best record in the league through their first 26 games despite seeing superstar forward Jayson Tatum tear his Achilles in last season’s playoffs and then losing most of their big man rotation in free agency and trades.
That success has given team president Brad Stevens more flexibility as he considers whether to push chips in or accumulate more assets at the trade deadline, Jay King writes for The Athletic.
“We will not put a ceiling on this group,” Stevens said. “If it makes sense for us to look for things that can help us, we certainly will. But it all has to be within good deals, and it all has to be within the ultimate goal, which is the North Star of retooling so we’re in a position to compete for what we want to compete for (a championship).”
King notes that Boston is currently around $12.1MM over the luxury tax line, so a move to shed salary could help the team’s financial situation. However, the Celtics have won 15 of their last 23 games, fueled in large part by Jaylen Brown, who is sixth in the league in scoring at 29.3 points per game, and may find themselves too good to compete for a high draft pick.
“I think everybody, or a lot of teams, are really still very much in, ‘Let’s see how everything looks as time goes on,'” Stevens said. “Everybody’s a work in progress. What’s the difference between third and ninth in the East right now? There’s hardly anything, right? And I think that we’re all still trying to figure out who we are and what we can be.”
Stevens declined to specify what areas he could target via trade, but King speculates that a move to shore up the frontcourt would make the most sense. Anfernee Simons, on an expiring $27.7MM contract, stands out as a trade candidate should the team seek to improve its roster.
One detail that will likely play a determining role in how the Celtics proceed this season is Tatum’s status as he looks to return from an Achilles tear that has kept him off the court since May.
Tatum has reportedly looked better than expected during his rehabilitation, but there are still no concrete expectations.
“We’re not putting a timeline on it as we haven’t the whole time,” Stevens said. “One of the things that everybody can see (is) that we didn’t apply for a (disabled player exception) this year, which was a conscious decision for a lot of reasons. But the reality is he’s not going to be back until he’s 110 percent healthy and he feels good about it.
“… Obviously, he’s itching to play. Obviously he hates watching. But he’s also very cognizant of the need to meet every threshold and why there are those things that are put in place. … There’s the strength thresholds he has to meet. And then, after that, several weeks of progressions, right, from the standpoint of scripted against small groups, scripted against bigger groups, scripted in 5-on-5, unscripted random, all the way up through those. But it’s a long progression, and it’s almost like, once you hit the strength, then you do your thresholds of a progression of play, and then you’re also reconditioning to play real minutes, whatever that looks like.”
Celtics Notes: Queta, Tatum, Walsh, Trade Options
Neemias Queta has solved the Celtics‘ center problems this season, but he has been disappointed with his free throw shooting, writes Souichi Terada of MassLive. There were concerns about what Boston would do in the middle after trading Kristaps Porzingis and seeing Al Horford and Luke Kornet leave in free agency, but Queta stepped into the starting role and has provided consistent scoring, rebounding and defense. However, he’s connecting at just 61.2% from the foul stripe after being a 71.3% career shooter coming into the season.
“I can get better,” Queta said. “It’s been a tough year for me at the line. I usually feel pretty confident when I’m out there. I don’t know what’s going on. Maybe it’s repetition or maybe it’s just getting my legs under it. But something I need to get better at, most definitely, because that’s unacceptable. … I’m too good of a shooter to shoot that bad.”
Terada adds that Queta’s breakout season has been massive considering that backup big men Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman have both dropped out of the rotation. Coach Joe Mazzulla has gone with smaller lineups when Queta rests, using Josh Minott and other players in the middle.
There’s more from Boston:
- Jayson Tatum posted several lengthy workout videos to his Instagram account this week, but Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (subscription required) cautions that doesn’t mean the All-Star forward will be returning soon. It’s been seven months since Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon, and Himmelsbach states that he continues to remind team officials that he wants to play this season. However, a league source tells Himmelsbach that Tatum still has to reach several milestones in the recovery process before that can be considered.
- Doc Rivers is the latest opposing coach to be impressed by Jordan Walsh, Himmelsbach adds in the same piece. The third-year forward has established himself as an elite defender this season, and his shooting has been outrageous lately as he’s 30-of-37 from the field and 9-of-12 from three-point range in December. “It seems like they just put him on anybody to pressure,” Rivers said of Walsh after Thursday’s game in Milwaukee. “His energy is infectious, man. If you don’t want to play hard when you’re watching him play, then there’s something wrong with you.”
- The prospect of Tatum returning could prompt the Celtics to be more aggressive about finding another center at the trade deadline rather than waiting for the offseason, Brian Robb of MassLive states in a mailbag column. Robb responds to a question about Ivica Zubac, saying the team may be hesitant to part with multiple first-round picks for a big man and is likely to pursue minimum-salary options if a player of that caliber isn’t available.
Atlantic Notes: Tatum, Sixers, Kolek, Hukporti
With the streaking Celtics having climbed to the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference on the strength of five consecutive wins and Jayson Tatum doing 1-on-1 work, head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked on Wednesday when conversations might begin in earnest about the possibility of the star forward returning from his Achilles tear in the coming months.
“It’s all up to him,” Mazzulla said, per Jay King of The Athletic. “At the end of the day, his health is the most important thing, his process is the most important thing. You trust him, trust the team that’s around him — he’s got a great team — and then you just kind of go from there. So it kind of just all starts (with) where him and his team think he’s at.”
While Tatum will certainly be involved in the decision on if and when he returns to the court this season, it’s not his to make alone. The Celtics’ front office and medical team, as well as Tatum’s own doctors, will be involved in determining what that plan looks like.
Mazzulla made it clear that he’s not spending much time thinking about whether or not he’ll get Tatum back in his lineup later in the season, since he appreciates the way the 27-year-old is contributing to the team even without playing in games.
“To me, the only thing I care about is his presence and his leadership, and he’s given that in different ways — on the bench for games, communicating with guys, in film sessions, traveling with us,” Mazzulla said. “At the end of the day, he’s on our team. He’s a part of our team. He’s helping us get better, and then everything else just comes down to him and the people around him, and you just trust that.”
We have more from around the Atlantic:
- The Sixers need more from their centers, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, who notes that Joel Embiid went 4-for-21 from the floor in Sunday’s loss to the Lakers, while Andre Drummond was a -15 in 18 minutes despite registering a double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds). Both big men struggled defensively against the Lakers’ duo of Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, who combined to make all eight of their shot attempts, Pompey adds.
- Knicks reserve guard Tyler Kolek didn’t get off the bench during the team’s NBA Cup quarterfinal loss last season, but he used his share of the prize money to buy his mother a car, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. This time around, Kolek – who has appeared in 10 consecutive games for New York – should play a more active role in determining how far the Knicks advance. He was a +13 in less than eight minutes on the court in Tuesday’s quarterfinal victory over the Raptors. Asked if his mom will be getting another car this Christmas using his NBA Cup prize money, Kolek replied, “Nope, my dad wants the next one.”
- Ariel Hukporti‘s speed could be his path to an increased role with the Knicks, according to Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News, (subscription required) who notes that head coach Mike Brown referred to Hukporti as “one of the fastest bigs I’ve ever been around.” Hukporti, who has had a limited role this fall, logged a season-high 23 minutes in Sunday’s win over Orlando, but played just 73 seconds on Tuesday vs. Toronto and was assigned to the G League on Wednesday (Twitter link).
Celtics Notes: Tatum, Williams, Minott, Garza, Hauser, Simons
Jayson Tatum has been out of the spotlight as he recovers from the Achilles injury he suffered during the playoffs, but his teammates continue to rave about the progress he’s making, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (subscription required).
Tatum has expressed hope that he can resume playing by the end of the season, although the Celtics haven’t given any indication on how close he is to that goal. Himmelsbach suggests that even if he’s not ready to lead the team on a run through the playoffs, it could be valuable for Tatum to play a few games and develop on-court chemistry with his younger teammates.
“He’s staying mentally, physically, emotionally prepared,” Sam Hauser said. “He’s working his tail off every day, as you can see. And his presence is still felt even though he’s not out there with us. We appreciate him giving his time to us still, even though he hasn’t been able to compete with us in full. But hopefully (he’ll return) at some point in the season. If not, no big deal. But he’s definitely still one of our leaders.”
Over the past few weeks, Tatum has become more active during the portions of practice that are open to the media, Himmelsbach adds. Most of the work has involved shooting drills with off-the-dribble and change-of-direction moves, and Himmelsbach has seen nothing to suggest that he’s still limited by the injury.
There’s more on the Celtics:
- The team’s coordination with its G League affiliate in Maine paid off Wednesday as Amari Williams logged 15 minutes in a victory over Detroit, Himmelsbach adds in the same piece. The two-way center had only played seven NBA minutes up to that point, but he was pressed into duty as Neemias Queta missed the game with an ankle injury. Williams fit right into Boston’s scheme and contributed one point, three rebounds and two blocks. “The ability for a guy to step right in and know the plays, know the coverages, all the pregame work that the player development staff does on the court, and then with personnel, that’s just kind of a testament to the alignment,” coach Joe Mazzulla said. “One, to Amari’s mind-set, but also to the staff (in Maine). So, I think with all those things combined, (it) felt just as comfortable for him to be on the floor. I thought he did some good stuff.”
- Saturday’s game at Minnesota was a homecoming for Josh Minott and Luka Garza, who both spent several years with the Timberwolves before signing with the Celtics this summer, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. “Just appreciative, where I started my career,” Minott said. “The development was great. It wasn’t like I was sitting on my ass for three years. A great environment, great group of people. I don’t think anybody in this city would say I left on a sour note. I loved everybody here and to my knowledge I think they all loved me.”
- The contracts of Hauser and Anfernee Simons will be vital in the Celtics’ efforts to trade for a center, Brian Robb of MassLive states in a mailbag column. He suggests the team may be willing to swap Simons’ expiring contract for a player with a longer deal in order to retain a tradable asset for the summer.
Celtics Notes: Mazzulla, Queta, Gonzalez, Kalkbrenner
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has gotten used to contending for championships, so he wasn’t exactly eager to have a roster filled with unproven players, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. His team may be overachieving somewhat with a 6-7 start, but Mazzulla calls it more of a “fulfillment” than an “enjoyment.”
“I don’t enjoy being in the position that we’re in and I don’t enjoy some of that, but I’m fulfilled because at the end of the day we know where we are and we know what we’re trying to get to,” he said. “And we’re doing it with a group of guys that have a competitive care factor that can pay dividends in the long term.”
Boston was already heading toward a roster overhaul because of second apron restrictions, but the process was sped up by Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles tear in the playoffs. Four rotation members of the 2024 title team were lost during the summer, and Mazzulla is now trying to maximize young players, several of whom weren’t able to succeed elsewhere. There have been a few bright spots such as Josh Minott, Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez, and the team is taking on the competitive attitude of its head coach.
“We haven’t played perfect but there has been a care factor to the process of ‘I’ve got to get this right, I’ve got to get this detail right. I have to execute. I have to understand my role. I’ve got to execute it every single night,’” Mazzulla said. “Those things have come easy to guys because of their work ethic.”
There’s more from Boston:
- Neemias Queta has gotten plenty of advice from Tatum as he’s taken over as the team’s starting center, according to Brian Robb of MassLive. Queta has adjusted to the role and currently ranks 12th in the NBA in plus/minus. “Yeah, he’s been on me from the moment I got here in Boston, and we’ve been able to build that relationship,” Queta said of Tatum. “He’s always trying to help me figure out why I could do better, figure out how I can get my teammates open, and just trying to be a kind of coach, so to speak, as he can’t play right now. But I feel like he’s been one of the most vocal guys, and he’s always trying to lead us away the way he can see.”
- Gonzalez has played so well to start the season that a G League assignment doesn’t seem to be under consideration, Robb adds in a separate story. The 19-year-old has appeared in 11 of the team’s first 13 games and is averaging 12.4 minutes per night. “I haven’t thought about that, no,” Mazzulla responded when asked about the possibility of Gonzalez spending time with the Maine Celtics. “He just came into the season with an open mind through training camp and preseason, and I think he showed and proved, one through his work ethic, his maturity, but really his defensive instincts, that he could play at this level. And so I think that’s more valuable than anything at this particular time. We’ll assess it as it goes on but he’s proven he can play and can impact winning. He’s got to get better at continuing to do that.”
- Boston traded away the pick that the Hornets used to select Ryan Kalkbrenner, but there’s no guarantee the Celtics would have taken him if they had stayed at No. 32, Robb states in a mailbag column. He points out that it’s too early to make a definite judgment on Kalkbrenner, an early standout, and the benefits they got in the deal — four extra second-round picks, one of which was used to unload Georges Niang‘s salary — make it worthwhile.
Celtics Notes: Gonzalez, Simons, Scheierman, Tatum
Rookie forward Hugo Gonzalez looks like a strong contender for regular playing time after an impressive NBA debut Friday night, writes Souichi Terada of MassLive. Gonzalez energized the Celtics when he entered the game midway through the first quarter with a blend of athleticism and aggressive defense. Coach Joe Mazzulla trusted him to guard Knicks star Jalen Brunson and gave him heavy minutes in the second half as Boston tried to stage a comeback.
“Stepping on the floor was good,” Gonzalez said. “But still, I’m not having a great memory of this day because we lost the game that we could have won. We’re working on details, gotta get better there.”
Terada notes that Mazzulla’s rotation is still unsettled as Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh all saw minutes in the first half, while Josh Minott wasn’t used at all after playing in the season opener. Gonzalez is only 19 and didn’t play much last season with Real Madrid, but he could establish a regular role with the Celtics as a defensive stopper off the bench.
“He understands what it takes,” Mazzulla said. “I think he has a clear understanding of what his role is, and it’s to defend at the highest of levels and play with a level of effort on the offensive end. And he’s able to do that. There are things he needs to clean up, obviously, but I thought he did a great job of helping accept that third-quarter tone of his effort and his toughness.”
There’s more on the Celtics:
- Anfernee Simons, who spent four years playing for Chauncey Billups in Portland before being traded to Boston his summer, couldn’t believe that his former coach was arrested this week in a federal investigation of illegal gambling, Terada adds in a separate story. “Just in shock, obviously, I have a great relationship with Chauncey,” Simons said (Twitter video link). “Speaking even after the trade, he’s checking in on me, I’m checking in on him. We have a great relationship. It’s an unfortunate situation for him to be in, especially with him and his family. All the media attention is coming in, the scrutiny.”
- The Celtics need more production from their three best players to remain competitive while Mazzulla figures out his rotation, observes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. In the season’s first two games, Payton Pritchard missed 12 of his 14 three-point attempts and Derrick White is only shooting 7-of-24 from beyond the arc and 12-of-38 overall. Jaylen Brown is scoring consistently, but he committed seven turnovers on Friday.
- Boston will probably pick up Scheierman’s $2.7MM salary for the 2026/27 season, Brian Robb of MassLive states in a mailbag column. The decision is due by the end of the month, and Robb believes it’s a low-cost gamble for a team that still has to watch every dollar it spends. He views it as less certain that the Celtics will exercise their option next year for the final season of Scheierman’s rookie scale contract, when he’ll earn nearly $5MM.
- In the same piece, Robb speculates that it will be sometime in March before Jayson Tatum can realistically consider returning from his Achilles tear.