Can we please stop with the idea that Tatum likely will get a max deal?

[Moranis]

Qualifiers make sense.  Nothing is ever guaranteed until it’s a done deal.  “Tatum will get a max contract unless...”  If you could think of any possible way to finish that sentence, then the max contract is likely but not guaranteed.

I honestly don't think there is an unless.  Even a major injury I don't think stops him from getting a max.  It would have to be basically a career ender and I just don't think that is worth a qualifier.

I think a ruptures Achilles, ACL or MCL that causes hi to miss most or all of  next season would probably be enough that he doesn't get a max deal. Keep in mind the cap will now likely be falling (or at least stalled) due to no fans in the arena which will mean that few teams will have the money to make him a max offer. Combined with the uncertainty of an injury and I think he'd have to take a "prove it" deal. But of course injury aside ya, he'll get the max.

I think he still gets the max, especially since the max would be a lot lower as you indicate.  You do a prove it deal with him, you risk him leaving and paying him a lot more money.  I just don't think Boston does that.  When you make a player untouchable in trades as Boston allegedly did, you basically tell the world he is a max player.

[johnnygreen]

Some of the elite players from the 2017 draft class are seeking insurance policies from the NBA before the restart.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2020/06/boston-celtics-jayson-tatum-among-nba-stars-inquiring-about-league-sponsored-injury-insurance-in-orlando-bubble-report.html

Obviously, this is a very complicated issue, including if an insurance company will even offer such a policy. My question here is if a policy isn't in place, do you believe Tatum will play when the season resumes? Also, would you hold it against him if he opts to sit out?

I would be disappointed if he doesn't play, but I wouldn't blame him or hold it against him going forward.

[ozgod]

From MassLive:

According to the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy, Tatum is reluctant to risk his health by resuming the season when the NBA restarts the 2019-20 season next month in Orlando. Bondy wrote:

“Then there’s the threat of injury, which is especially significant to players on the verge of big contracts. According to a source, Boston Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum, who is eligible for a max extension in the offseason, has expressed reluctance to play for that reason.”

The follows an earlier report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski who reported that Tatum was part of a group of young NBA players who inquired with the National Basketball Players Association about potentially acquiring league-financed insurance to protect against career-threatening injuries suffered during the league’s restart in Orlando.

According to Wojnarowski, insurance policies might cost somewhere around $500,000 for players who could sign extensions worth more than $100 million.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2020/06/jayson-tatum-rumors-boston-celtics-star-reluctant-to-return-risk-max-contract-in-nba-restart-report.html

Can't say I blame the guy.

[Androslav]

Tatum will get a max, it is one of those 99,9% chance to happen things.

[Ogaju]

Qualifiers make sense.  Nothing is ever guaranteed until it’s a done deal.  “Tatum will get a max contract unless...”  If you could think of any possible way to finish that sentence, then the max contract is likely but not guaranteed.

I honestly don't think there is an unless.  Even a major injury I don't think stops him from getting a max.  It would have to be basically a career ender and I just don't think that is worth a qualifier.

I think a ruptures Achilles, ACL or MCL that causes hi to miss most or all of  next season would probably be enough that he doesn't get a max deal. Keep in mind the cap will now likely be falling (or at least stalled) due to no fans in the arena which will mean that few teams will have the money to make him a max offer. Combined with the uncertainty of an injury and I think he'd have to take a "prove it" deal. But of course injury aside ya, he'll get the max.

Kevin Durant says 'hi'.

[Ogaju]

I do not understand Tatum's point here. Is there any evidence that playing in the bubble in July-August puts himi at a greater risk of injury?

[Somebody]

Qualifiers make sense.  Nothing is ever guaranteed until it’s a done deal.  “Tatum will get a max contract unless...”  If you could think of any possible way to finish that sentence, then the max contract is likely but not guaranteed.

I honestly don't think there is an unless.  Even a major injury I don't think stops him from getting a max.  It would have to be basically a career ender and I just don't think that is worth a qualifier.

I think a ruptures Achilles, ACL or MCL that causes hi to miss most or all of  next season would probably be enough that he doesn't get a max deal. Keep in mind the cap will now likely be falling (or at least stalled) due to no fans in the arena which will mean that few teams will have the money to make him a max offer. Combined with the uncertainty of an injury and I think he'd have to take a "prove it" deal. But of course injury aside ya, he'll get the max.

Kevin Durant says 'hi'.

Tatum is not on Durant's level lol.

[Moranis]

Qualifiers make sense.  Nothing is ever guaranteed until it’s a done deal.  “Tatum will get a max contract unless...”  If you could think of any possible way to finish that sentence, then the max contract is likely but not guaranteed.

I honestly don't think there is an unless.  Even a major injury I don't think stops him from getting a max.  It would have to be basically a career ender and I just don't think that is worth a qualifier.

I think a ruptures Achilles, ACL or MCL that causes hi to miss most or all of  next season would probably be enough that he doesn't get a max deal. Keep in mind the cap will now likely be falling (or at least stalled) due to no fans in the arena which will mean that few teams will have the money to make him a max offer. Combined with the uncertainty of an injury and I think he'd have to take a "prove it" deal. But of course injury aside ya, he'll get the max.

Kevin Durant says 'hi'.

Tatum is not on Durant's level lol.

He also is 22 unlike Durant who is on the wrong side of 30.

[SHAQATTACK]

Qualifiers make sense.  Nothing is ever guaranteed until it’s a done deal.  “Tatum will get a max contract unless...”  If you could think of any possible way to finish that sentence, then the max contract is likely but not guaranteed.

I honestly don't think there is an unless.  Even a major injury I don't think stops him from getting a max.  It would have to be basically a career ender and I just don't think that is worth a qualifier.

I think a ruptures Achilles, ACL or MCL that causes hi to miss most or all of  next season would probably be enough that he doesn't get a max deal. Keep in mind the cap will now likely be falling (or at least stalled) due to no fans in the arena which will mean that few teams will have the money to make him a max offer. Combined with the uncertainty of an injury and I think he'd have to take a "prove it" deal. But of course injury aside ya, he'll get the max.

Kevin Durant says 'hi'.

Tatum is not on Durant's level lol.

He also is 22 unlike Durant who is on the wrong side of 30.

i ll also bet Durant AN'T Durant anymore either.   He was looking old and creeky stiff looking before .  So now , he  ' ll be simular to Dirk in his last 4-5 years .  Knock down , spot up shooter , he 's so long , his outside shot will be there for a while .   Just one more injury will finish him as a star . KD is likely to turn into skipping , limping shell of himself within 1-2 years.

Kyrie is a walking injury too.  Maybe Kyrie and KD put together a good 1/2 season for nets . Simular as PP and KG .   Neither has the body to carry a team though a full brutal season .   After about 25 games one or both will be continually on the bench hurt .

[boscel33]

If he doesn't get a max, then it's only because he's taking a little less to keep the team together.

[CelticsElite]

I remember having to defend the idea of drafting tatum . A lot of people on here wanted josh jackson who appeared more athletic

[hpantazo]

From MassLive:

According to the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy, Tatum is reluctant to risk his health by resuming the season when the NBA restarts the 2019-20 season next month in Orlando. Bondy wrote:

“Then there’s the threat of injury, which is especially significant to players on the verge of big contracts. According to a source, Boston Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum, who is eligible for a max extension in the offseason, has expressed reluctance to play for that reason.”

The follows an earlier report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski who reported that Tatum was part of a group of young NBA players who inquired with the National Basketball Players Association about potentially acquiring league-financed insurance to protect against career-threatening injuries suffered during the league’s restart in Orlando.

According to Wojnarowski, insurance policies might cost somewhere around $500,000 for players who could sign extensions worth more than $100 million.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2020/06/jayson-tatum-rumors-boston-celtics-star-reluctant-to-return-risk-max-contract-in-nba-restart-report.html

Can't say I blame the guy.

The thing is, if there was no covid-19 shutdown he would have been risking injury in the playoffs anyway without an extension. What's the difference?

It's as if NBA players think contracts only work one way. They expect to get paid even during a shutdown, but don't want to play or risk injury without an added extension. They expect teams to pay them their full salary but demand trades whenever they want to move on to other teams. They also start negotiating future deals with other teams while still under contract like most stars did this past summer before free agency began. NBA owners need to crack down on some of this stuff in the next CBA.

[ozgod]

From MassLive:

According to the New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy, Tatum is reluctant to risk his health by resuming the season when the NBA restarts the 2019-20 season next month in Orlando. Bondy wrote:

“Then there’s the threat of injury, which is especially significant to players on the verge of big contracts. According to a source, Boston Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum, who is eligible for a max extension in the offseason, has expressed reluctance to play for that reason.”

The follows an earlier report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski who reported that Tatum was part of a group of young NBA players who inquired with the National Basketball Players Association about potentially acquiring league-financed insurance to protect against career-threatening injuries suffered during the league’s restart in Orlando.

According to Wojnarowski, insurance policies might cost somewhere around $500,000 for players who could sign extensions worth more than $100 million.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2020/06/jayson-tatum-rumors-boston-celtics-star-reluctant-to-return-risk-max-contract-in-nba-restart-report.html

Can't say I blame the guy.

The thing is, if there was no covid-19 shutdown he would have been risking injury in the playoffs anyway without an extension. What's the difference?

It's as if NBA players think contracts only work one way. They expect to get paid even during a shutdown, but don't want to play or risk injury without an added extension. They expect teams to pay them their full salary but demand trades whenever they want to move on to other teams. They also start negotiating future deals with other teams while still under contract like most stars did this past summer before free agency began. NBA owners need to crack down on some of this stuff in the next CBA.

I would imagine it's because coming back after a long layoff always brings the risk of injury complication? The cynical side of me would say that since this is going to be an "asterisk" season it won't do him any harm image wise to sit it out and sign his max deal at the end of the season.

Also, not sure how credible Bondy's source is - I haven't heard anything from anyone else about Tatum being reluctant to play.

[chambers]

You're trolling right?

[Somebody]

Qualifiers make sense.  Nothing is ever guaranteed until it’s a done deal.  “Tatum will get a max contract unless...”  If you could think of any possible way to finish that sentence, then the max contract is likely but not guaranteed.

I honestly don't think there is an unless.  Even a major injury I don't think stops him from getting a max.  It would have to be basically a career ender and I just don't think that is worth a qualifier.

I think a ruptures Achilles, ACL or MCL that causes hi to miss most or all of  next season would probably be enough that he doesn't get a max deal. Keep in mind the cap will now likely be falling (or at least stalled) due to no fans in the arena which will mean that few teams will have the money to make him a max offer. Combined with the uncertainty of an injury and I think he'd have to take a "prove it" deal. But of course injury aside ya, he'll get the max.

Kevin Durant says 'hi'.

Tatum is not on Durant's level lol.

He also is 22 unlike Durant who is on the wrong side of 30.

And he hasn't shown the potential to be an MVP level player like Durant at 21/22. Obviously maxes aren't restricted to MVP level players, but an All-Starry wing getting a serious injury would dampen his value quite a lot even if he's young.