The Celtics saw their best stretch of basketball this season come to a sudden halt Thursday night after an upset loss to the Bucks. However, there is still plenty of buzz about this group with the possibility that Jayson Tatum could return at some point this season looking more realistic by the day. Let’s take a look at a host of questions surrounding the Celtics star along with much more in this week’s mailbag.
Hey Brian,
If Jayson Tatum returns in say April at about 70% of his normal self and Brad trades Simons and two first round picks to the Clippers for Zubac, would the Celtics return to being the Eastern Conference favorite this year? How realistic is a Zubac trade or who is the best center that the Celtics can realistically obtain at the trade deadline? Thanks, — Dave
At this point, it feels like Tatum’s return will come long before April given how much on court work he is doing right now. The Zubac suggestion is a popular one I’ve gotten a lot in recent weeks. It depends a lot on the direction the Clippers take with their core. Zubac is on a good cost controlled contract so it’s hard to see the Clippers moving him now unless they are blowing things up entirely at the trade deadline (which is possible given how bad they look). Even then, two first round picks for Zubac would be a steep price to pay since it would essentially lock Boston in for the future with that core. I’m not sure Brad Stevens would like Zubac enough to do that and take away their flexibility. However, a case can certainly be made to go after a center now as opposed to waiting until the offseason. Ultimately, I think the Celtics are probably looking at minimum level type options for this season if they don’t get a guy like Zubac. Whether those guys would play over the wings on this roster is another matter but the big reserves could certainly use a defensive and size upgrade.
Hi, Brian,
I’m blown away by Jordan Walsh’s ascent this season. Like others, I didn’t see him as an NBA-caliber player. Man, was I wrong! We’d only seen him in garbage time when guys are trying so hard to make an impression. But it’s chaotic and play is sloppy. Now, with the opportunity to play with the starters and in a more structured system, he can focus on the things he does well. And he’s thriving. He’s a great rebounder and he has some nifty low-post moves, too. So, here’s my question: When Jason Tatum returns, what’s your starting lineup? I think I’d leave him in the starting five and move Payton Pritchard back to the 6th man role. There wouldn’t be much of a dropoff with JT’s ballhandling and play-making skills. And one other thing: Similar to Walsh, I’ve noticed that Baylor Scheierman is playing with much more control this season. He’s not trying to do too much, the ball moves, and his time on the court is clean. The guy hustles and sticks his nose in every scrum. Ditto for Hugo Gonzalez and Josh Minott. What a great outcome for this team! Thanks for your great reporting, —Matthew, Rockport, ME
With Walsh’s recent play, and Tatum’s eventually return - Does BOS have “six” starters again? Ideally who do you think Mazzulla would rather start Walsh or Pritchard? — Joel
Great question Matthew and Joel! It’s one I know some people around the team have started to throw around. At this point, I think I’m with you on leaving Walsh in there. The bench could clearly use Pritchard as an initiator for the offense and he would still get big minutes including closing a lot in that role. Boston’s starting five turns into a defensive force with Brown/Walsh/Tatum on the wing and there is also good size everywhere. Pritchard is obviously the much more proven commodity at this point, so this is a situation that will be revisited multiple times in the months to come (when Tatum gets closer to returning). For now, Walsh is my choice to stay in since he’s playing that well.
What is the decision making protocol to decide on Tatum’s potential return? I assume it starts with a clearance by medical experts to play contact 5 on 5, followed by what?
Brad Stevens, Tatum himself, and who else then makes the call as far as giving the go-ahead and setting a date? — Oblid
The Celtics have a great training staff that will be in on any decision as will Tatum’s own team including C’s trainer Nick Sang. He will get clearance for 5-on-5 from the medical staff and his trainers. From there, it probably just comes down to how Tatum is feeling and whether the Celtics as an organization want to give him the green light. With the way the Celtics are playing, it’s hard to envision the team standing in his way in any form once he feels ready to go and has hit his checkpoints.
How do you value the Celtics 2026 1st round pick? How would it be valued by other teams in the NBA? Right now it looks like a mid-round pick but an injury to an important player and it could be a lottery pick. Would this pick be a big part of the package for Zubac? — Paul
It’s definitely losing value by the week at this point. Beyond the win-loss results for Boston, the advanced metrics show the team’s recent success is no fluke, especially when given the competition in the Eastern Conference. Even if the team suffers a significant injury, it’s hard to imagine this group would drop beyond the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference. Throw in the possibility that Jayson Tatum could be back in the next 2-3 months and it will be hard to sell the upside of that pick to potential trade partners. With that said, it still will be a better pick in all likelihood than most future picks in Boston’s arsenal (with Tatum back in the lineup) so it would be a certainty to be included in any potential trade for a player of Zubac’s caliber.
