Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum proving to be a draw for players in free agency

Recently, reports have surfaced that Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum played a significant role in Kemba Walker’s decision to sign with the franchise. With this, fans should be excited about the draw the 21-year-old may have on other future free agents.

Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum is revered by many as one of the best young talents today’s game has to offer. Bleacher Report recently put out a list ranking the NBA’s top 23 players under 23 and, to no one’s surprise, listed the 21-year-old well within the top 10 — number 4 to be exact.

"“Tatum is a really good player: a reliable three-point marksman and No. 2 scorer who can be shifted around on the defensive end,” wrote Dan Favale. “.. he’s only going to get better.”"

Though many may be under the assumption that Tatum hit somewhat of a “sophomore slump” after a breakout rookie campaign in 2017, when looking at his stats, it is apparent that the forward is still very much trending in a positive direction.

In 79 games last season, Tatum put up averages of 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 45% shooting from the field and 37% from deep (per-36 minutes). With more competition for touches on offense, Jay-Tats — you like the nickname? No? Alright then — improved upon his scoring, rebounding and assist averages from the year prior.

While it may not have been the astronomical improvement fans were hoping for, make no mistake, Tatum had a fine sophomore campaign.

Now, heading into year three, due to the departures of Kyrie Irving and Al Horford this summer, Tatum is slated to receive a much bigger role on the team which, in turn, should help him take that much anticipated “leap” forward.

A roster as talented as Boston’s should already make free agents ponder on the idea of signing with the franchise. With the small forward’s likely ascension this season, the prospects are that much more alluring. And, as for Kemba Walker, Tatum was all he needed to commit himself to the green and white threads.

This summer, the point guard signed a four year, $140 million deal with Boston, and Tatum believes he played a “big part” in Walker’s decision making. During their time in France earlier this offseason, taking part in a Jordan Brand event, the pair got the chance to bond and, reportedly, discussed what it’s like playing for the storied Celtics franchise.

"“I never told him to come, but I told him I would love for him to join the team and told him how it was,” Tatum said in an interview with ESPN. “I just told him about Boston, the city, the atmosphere, our fans, the culture, the coaching staff. I answered all the questions he had.”"

In an interview with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan, Walker, too, commented on the conversations had in Paris with Boston’s young buck, and how it impacted his decision making this summer.

"“We spoke for quite some time,” Walker said. “When we left Paris and the days went on and [free agency] came and I made my decision, a lot of it was because of him.”"

Now Celtics fans, really think about this: if Tatum was able to convince one of this year’s top free agents to join him in Boston after a season in which numerous people have claimed he “plateaued“, imagine what he can do with future free agents if he puts forth a fantastic 2019-20 season, which he himself is projecting.

In today’s game, we constantly see elite players teaming up with one another in an attempt to make a championship that much more attainable. If Tatum manages to live up to the lofty expectations he has for himself this season, coupled with Walker and a deep and talented supporting cast in tow for the next several years, Boston could turn into one of, if not the prime destination for 2020 free agents.

With players such as Andre Drummond, DeMar DeRozan and Anthony Davis all slated to hit the open market next summer, it’s obvious the talent pool will be far from shallow. With the team’s newest incarnation of a dynamic duo, convincing a marquee free agent to join forces in Boston should make things that much easier.

And we have Jayson Tatum to thank for that!