Jayson Tatum is obviously one of the best young players in the entire NBA.
Last year he averaged 26.4 points per game and will only get better, as it was just his fourth year in the league.
As the Celtics begin to transition, Tatum will be an important piece to the future.
Appearing on Mut at Night Monday, former Suns and Celtics executive Ryan McDonough detailed what the next step for Tatum needs to be.
“I think the next step in Tatum’s game — and I am sure he’s aware of this, he’s a smart guy — is not being so iso-heavy, so ball-dominant," he said. "He’s a gifted scorer. He may be one of the most gifted scorers I have seen come into the league in a number of years. I think the next step for him will probably be trusting his teammates, trusting the pass, moving the ball and getting it back. Trying to be more efficient without the ball and with his shots.
"Then, if he can do that, which I have no doubt he will be able to do it if he wants to given his talent, then other guys will want to come play with him. We had Devin Booker when I was the GM with the Suns, Devin had a lot of similarities to Jayson early in his career. This year you could say some of it is due to Chris Paul, which I think it is, but he moves the ball and moves without the ball more and gets it back. He has thrived in that role. I have no doubt Tatum can do something similar, and if and when he does that I think he will be a very attractive guy to play with because he’s one of the best young talents in the entire NBA.”
After trading Kemba Walker last week, the Celtics will be looking for another big-time player to play with Tatum and Jaylen Brown.