Jayson Tatum Could Help the Celtics Land an All-Star

As Damian Lillard explores his options following a stunning buyout from the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics are quietly emerging as a dark-horse destination. With Jayson Tatum also sidelined and rehabbing from injury, league insiders believe this one bold move—built on friendship and timing—could reestablish the Celtics as legitimate contenders, even if the payoff doesn’t come until 2026.

Damian Lillard Would Make the Celtics Contenders Again

The market for Lillard is predictably crowded. The Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers are all linked. But the Celtics offer something no other team can match: Jayson Tatum, a close friend and fellow All-Star also working his way back from an Achilles injury.

Senior NBA writer Marc Spears said on NBA Today that Dame could rehab alongside Tatum, calling the Celtics “championship caliber again” if they teamed up:

“There’s another guy he could rehab with, they’re good friends—what’s that team with Dame at point guard? Championship caliber again.”

Tatum and Lillard’s Connection Runs Deep

This isn’t a new idea. Tatum and Lillard forged a bond playing together for Team USA at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Tatum had reportedly pushed for Boston to acquire Dame even before his move to Milwaukee in 2023.

The respect is mutual—and with both stars sidelined for the bulk of 2025–26, this could be the long game the Celtics need to play.

Is Lillard a Fit in Boston?

It’s complicated. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are gone. The Celtics core—Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard—is intact, but the depth has been stripped.

Lillard’s buyout guarantees him $22.5 million a year. As a result, he no longer needs a massive deal. The Celtics could sign him for the minimum, give him time to rehab in peace, and then, in 2026, unleash a rested, motivated Dame alongside a fully recovered Tatum.

The Celtics’ Bold Offseason Isn’t Over

No gamble is without risk. In this case, the Celtics would essentially be punting on one roster spot next season and betting that two injured superstars can return to form. Still, the blueprint is clear: protect the core, play the long game, and load up for the next window.

And in a league where title windows close fast, every move matters. That’s why the Celtics may see a golden opportunity in Dame—even if the payoff takes 12 months to arrive.