Tatum’s Perfect + 1

[Ed Monix]

This idea is based on who would fit next to Tatum the best, with the players currently available in the NBA.

Before you vote, don’t forget to factor in a players ego, his work ethic, two-way ability and general reliability.

[Roy H.]

The answer is always Giannis. 

[PAOBoston]

Giannis or Jimmy Butler

[Ed Monix]

I am really surprised with how many have voted for Giannis.

This is just my opinion obviously, but Tatum would be Giannis’ sidekick in that scenario. They also want to operate in similar spots on the floor and offensively Giannis is very limited without the ball.

[GreenlyGreeny]

Klaw when he’s fully healed. We would basically have the two best two-way players in the league. Heck, the best offensive wing in JT and the best defensive wing in Klaw. Truly unstoppable. Don’t forget that Klaw is literally the only person in existence who shutdown Prime LeBron (See 2014 NBA Finals), and the only person to lead the Canadian team to a title (See 2019 NBA Finals, as well as his masterful triumph over Giannis in the 2019 ECF when he dramatically slowed down Giannis while still managing to average nearly 30/10/5 on the offensive end). He’s still only 31 in a world where 30 is the new 25, so if he can return to full health, he’s as good as it gets for an amazing pairing with JT. We can only hope to be so lucky that Klaw demands a trade to Boston in the off-season, knowing that Boston is where he can cement his legacy as one of the ten best basketball players in history, and we get him straight-up for an expiring JB. That is the dream. We will own the 2020s if JT/Klaw lead us into 2030.

Giannis and Jokic would obviously also be a beast pairing, but they don’t have the clutch of Kawhi and it is impossible to envision us being able to pair either one with JT in the future. KD comes close to Klaw and perhaps there’s a chance there, but he’s getting long in the tooth and that body frame makes me nervous, whereas Klaw is build solidly like JT.

[td450]

The answer is always Giannis.

He's marginally the best player, but would he make Tatum better? As a complementary player, I think a pairing with Jokic would produce the best results.

[Roy H.]

The answer is always Giannis.

He's marginally the best player, but would he make Tatum better? As a complementary player, I think a pairing with Jokic would produce the best results.

I’d prefer the elite defender who is also a great offensive player.

[Who]

Steph

Steph and Durant were amazing together. Very similar as a duo as to how Steph & Tatum would be.

[#1P4P]

Based on prior comments and actions, Tatum prioritizes being the #1 scoring option on the best team and would need a player that is comfortable settling into a secondary scoring role.

Jimmy Butler would be my 1st choice as the perfect costar for JT. Other players that would also accept a secondary scoring role (for the sake of winning) and be great fits alongside JT like Jokic, Steph, PG13, and Giannis. But adding Jimmy would be seamless on the court; off the court, in a short term (3-5 years) or long term (5+ years) capacity, the answer might change, but for one season he’s my answer.

Not to diminish JB’s partnership (and might be the best long term option), 3 Conference Finals appearances and 1 Finals appearance for a 24 and 26 year old is unheard of.

[RodyTur10]

I vote for Jokic. He's the best player and I see no reason why he wouldn't fit with Tatum. Leonard is too injury prone and Durant scares me as well. Antetokounmpo would be far from an ideal partner I believe. His off-ball offense is limited. That's not easy to work out without disabling Tatum. Doncic is too ball dominant and Embiid is interesting, but his decision making is not on par with Tatum. The only other superstar who could elevate Tatum to the same new heights is indeed Curry.

[Jvalin]

No Luka in the poll? Him and Tatum are about the same age. They'd dominate the league for the next decade!

Imo, you can't go wrong with any of Jokic, Giannis or Luka. I believe Jokic is the best player in the world right now. Giannis is the best 2-way player. Luka is considerably younger than both of them and he's already playing at an elite level.

Tatum is a 2-way player who can be effective on or off the ball on offense. He's mostly playing on the ball for the C's, but that's because he's our best shot creator. I believe he'd be a great fit next to pretty much anybody.

[BitterJim]

Steph

Steph and Durant were amazing together. Very similar as a duo as to how Steph & Tatum would be.

That's my thought too. Obviously for the long term you would want someone younger, but Steph's on and off ball gravity is insane. And while he's nowhere near someone like Giannis defensively, he's good enough to not be a liability and has proved that he can fit seamlessly into a great defense

[libermaniac]

This is a really great poll. Btw. TP. I went Steph but it’s a really difficult choice.

[keevsnick]

For Steph, Giannis, Durant and Jokic at least wouldn't Tatum be the sidekick?

[BASS_THUMPER]

Who  would be Tatum’s Perfect ‘Sidekick’?









*sippin*