Reports: Jayson Tatum Is Working On Recruiting Damian Lillard To Celtics

It was very evident when rumors of a possible Damian Lillard trade first surfaced a few weeks ago that the seven-time All-Star had no interest in considering playing for the Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum seems to be attempting to change his mind despite this.

Reports: Jayson Tatum Is Working On Recruiting Damian Lillard To Celtics

Lillard, one of the best players in the NBA, has dedicated his whole career to Portland. He is apparently now asking for a trade out of Portland, though.

Tatum is making an effort to influence Lillard’s apparent lack of enthusiasm in playing in Boston.

“On NBA Today, Marc Spears of ESPN and Andscape shared he’s heard Jayson Tatum is recruiting Damian Lillard to join the Celtics,” the article reads.

“To your point, that’s happening,” Spears said of players trying to get in Lillard’s ear about coming to their teams. “You saw [Josh] Hart, and I’m hearing Jayson Tatum’s knocking on that door now, too, trying to figure out a way to get him to come to Boston.”

That represents some progress from early June, when Tatum dropped in on Lillard’s live stream to say, “Damn we get it you don’t like Boston” with a pair of crying laughing emojis.

GM of the Trail Blazers Joe Cronin said on Saturday in response to Lillard’s desire for a trade: “We have been clear that we want Dame here, but he alerted us today he wants out and he’d like to play somewhere else. We are dedicated to winning, and in pursuit of that objective, we will always act in the team’s best interest.

The seven-time All-Star will cost $45.6 million this season, $48.8 million in 2024–25, an anticipated $58.5 million in 2025–26, and $63.2 million if he exercises his player option in 2026–27.

To make the arithmetic work in a deal for Lillard, Boston “only” needs a little bit more than $41 million in outgoing salary.

It follows that the Celtics may sign him without giving up Jaylen Brown.

 

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