Celtics likely must make a Jayson Tatum sacrifice they'd prefer not to

One would think Jayson Tatum will get cleared to play this season. The Boston Celtics star is rehabbing six days a week. He has been a regular at the Auerbach Center throughout the summer. As Tatum said, he isn't attacking his recovery like this for no reason.

The six-time All-Star even has a return date in mind. Naturally, the evening most believe he's referring to is Mar. 4 against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden. That's a day after his 28th birthday.

However, it's fair to question how comfortable the Celtics are with Tatum playing this season. A reset was mandatory after spending the last two years over the second apron. But their veteran additions were mostly small-scale signings and unproven players. The most notable exception is Anfernee Simons, who could get rerouted by the trade deadline. Plus, his acquisition was driven by shedding Jrue Holiday's salary.

Boston might benefit beyond this season from the moves made this summer. However, from a roster-building standpoint, the organization isn't operating like a team disputing that it's in for a step back this season. The Celtics aren't wrong for not being more aggressive in free agency. Flexibility was the priority. That was by force, not choice. In the long run, it's an approach that will benefit them.

However, it also lends credence to the thought that maybe they'd rather Tatum wait until the start of the 2026-27 campaign to return from his torn Achilles. If he's medically cleared, that's probably a position they will have to compromise on.

Brad Stevens' perspective on Tatum returning this season

At Bill Chisholm's introductory press conference, the Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, weighed in on whether it's realistic to think that the four-time All-NBA First Team selection will suit up in the 2025-26 season.

"I've said this from Day 1, and I'll continue to say it: no timelines on Jayson, from my perspective," stated Stevens. "My number one goal, my number two goal, three goal, four goal is Jayson Tatum fully healthy, full recovery. And he's well on his way. 

"He has been incredibly diligent. He's been a great leader, by example, to people in this building when no players were around in the middle of the summer, and when a lot of the young guys have been in and around in the last month and a half. And we appreciate that, and we know that he's going to be itching to get back, and he will be the biggest decision maker in that, right? 

"But there will be a lot of people in that room when that ultimately gets decided, including people that are working with them every day, and people that are really important to him. So, we're on a good path. And the most important thing is [a] fully-healthy Jayson Tatum."

Perhaps the most interesting part of that answer is Stevens voicing that the St. Louis, Missouri, native will be the biggest decision-maker about when he returns. Of course, it starts with what the medical experts have to say and how he continues to attack his rehab.

But this also seems like Stevens acknowledging that when Tatum's cleared, the Celtics will put their preferences aside, sacrificing the most cautious approach.

If that scenario plays out, instead of prolonged patience, the benefit will be starting the acclimation process earlier. That includes getting comfortable about being on the court from a mental perspective. It might not be the franchise's preference, but being able to build off the upcoming campaign could prove valuable for Tatum leading into the 2026-27 season.