Jayson Tatum is already a Top 10 player in the NBA. He might be in the Top 5. The Boston Celtics star is in the conversation with the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant (all behind Nikola Jokic). But could he get to one?
During the playoffs last year, Tatum was slandered for his three-point shot, but every other part of his game was stellar. He’s a versatile defender, an ever-improving playmaker, and one of the best rebounders at his position. There’s no reason he can’t be the best player in the NBA.
This is how he could do it.
1. Shoot 38% from deep
This is the most obvious first step for Tatum. If he ever wants to be regarded as No. 1 in the world, his three-point numbers have to be elite. Despite his playoff struggles, he actually shot 37.6% from deep last year during the regular season.
Very few volume shooters reach 40%. Nikola Jokic didn’t reach that mark. Neither did Luka Doncic. Stephen Curry even fell short of it last season. But if Tatum can shoot a (less streaky) 38%, that’s a great first step.
2. Average 10 rebounds per game
This would be a massive leap for Tatum, especially during the regular season, but it’s far from impossible. Kristaps Porzingis is going to miss some time, and Tatum was already the Celtics’ leading rebounder last year, so why not?
Tatum averaged 9.7 rebounds in the postseason last year, and if he can crack the 10-rebound mark this year, that would give his stats a very nice boost.
3. Average 6 assists per game
This may be the toughest mark for Tatum to hit, but it’s definitely not impossible. He averaged 4.9 per game last year, so Tatum would need to add a whole new assist to his numbers, but he’s gotten better in the category every season, so there’s no reason he can’t again.
4. Average 8 free throws per game
This may sound like a random stat, but with how much Tatum drives to the rim, he should be getting to the line more. Tatum should be forcing the issue and putting himself in the top tier of free-throw shooters.
Only four guys eclipsed this mark last year: Embiid, Antetokounmpo, Doncic, and Gilgeous-Alexander. Tatum should join that group.
5. Take over the end of games
Last year, Tatum struggled at the very end of games. His shot wasn’t there, and he missed a ton of potential game-winners. If he wants to be the best in the world, those need to go in.
Boston is still going to go to Tatum at the end of games, and he needs to nail the shots.
6. Dominate the playoffs
The most important part of Tatum’s plan to be the best player on the planet will happen in the postseason: He needs to dominate.
This means no struggles from deep. This means no smoked layups. This means taking over games at the end. This means nailing clutch shots. This means attacking the glass. This means diming up his teammates.
Tatum needs to be the best player on the floor at all times.
7. Win the 2025 NBA Championship (and Finals MVP)
The final and most obvious step: Tatum needs to win another title. If he helps the Celtics go back-to-back and wins Finals MVP in the process, he’ll be in the mix for the best player in the world.
And if he reaches all these milestones, there needs to be a serious conversation.