Hey guys, after seeing the ESPN Insider post yesterday about the top 25 young players, I hoped someone could share this one too:
http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/26088029/buy-sell-jayson-tatum-already-too-good-trade-ad
Thanks in advance and TPs to whoever can help. Thanks!
Here you go, smoke:
Buy or sell: Jayson Tatum is already too good to trade for Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis was the most talked about player in the NBA at this month's deadline following his trade request. Due to a unique player contract rule, the Boston Celtics were unable to trade for Davis this season unless they gave up Kyrie Irving. That won't be an issue if Irving opts out this summer. The big question now is whether Boston would be willing to put standout sophomore Jayson Tatum -- perhaps the most valuable player connected to these trade talks -- in a deal.
Tatum is one of the most impressive young players in the league right now. He has excellent size at 6-foot-8 and a polished offensive game. He's athletic, a willing defender and a solid rebounder. Tatum also is a strong shooter from all over the court, making 49.0 percent of his 2s, 40.8 percent of his 3s and 84.1 percent of his free throws in his short career. He can score off the dribble using the pick or by simply attacking his defender.
Last year, Tatum capped an All-Rookie first-team season with a strong playoff run in which he led the Celtics to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals with a team-high 18.5 PPG on 57.8 percent true shooting (TS%).
This season, at only age 20, Tatum's production compares favorably with other big, young wings over the past 25 seasons. Tatum is one of only nine wings 6-foot-6 or taller to average more than 15 PPG in year two or three of his career at age 20 or younger since 1995-96, according to Basketball Reference. That list also features Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady.
Considering his skill set, age and early accomplishments, it would not be surprising to see Tatum challenging for All-NBA in the near future. Plus, the Celtics have him locked into a rookie-scale deal before he can become a restricted free agent in 2021. So can Boston afford to trade him?
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For most teams, the answer would likely be no, but the Celtics are in a unique situation. First, they are deep on the wing. They have former All-Star Gordon Hayward, who will be two years removed from his major ankle injury and presumably back close to full strength for next season. They have 22-year-old Jaylen Brown, who was a primary scorer for the team as a sophomore and capped last season by averaging 18.0 PPG on 56.3 TS% in the playoffs. Add in Marcus Smart, and the Celtics would still have plenty of star-caliber talent on the wings if Tatum were dealt.
And Davis is truly an MVP-caliber talent entering his absolute peak seasons. He doesn't turn 26 until March. Davis also is a big man, and while the Celtics are deep on the wings, they are thinner in the middle. Concentrating some of their depth into MVP-caliber talent and balancing their roster could help the Celtics take the next step to becoming a true championship contender ... for next season, at least.
On paper, it would make sense for the Celtics to upgrade from a potential star on the wing to a bona fide superstar big man. But that's only if Davis is willing to commit to Boston long-term. Tatum is too valuable to trade for a one-season rental. I sell that Tatum is too good to trade for AD, but I buy that Tatum shouldn't be in a potential deal unless Boston is confident Davis will re-sign in 2020.
Topic: ESPN INSIDER shared by Footey - Tatum too Good for AD? Thoughts? (Read 2272 times)