Gauging Tatum’s value

[Ed Monix]

I love Tatum I think he has the ability to become an MVP candidate, but his playing style seems like he keeps reverting to an iso style that’s not conducive to ball movement, player touches and winning.

I’m just curious how many players would you be willing to move Tatum for? For me there is only two guys; Luka and Giannis. Others may be more talented at the moment but are either too old, comes with baggage or have major injury issues.

Doncic and Brown would be my dream duo, Brown would cover Luka’s defensive weakness. Brown has the rare level humility for his talent and would happily allow Doncic to run the show if that lead to wins.

Who would you be willing to make a Tatum trade for?

[Tr1boy]

I would Tatum for Zion or Jokic

[Ed Monix]

I would Tatum for Zion or Jokic

I love them both especially because their games aren’t homogenised like most stars these day’s. My only issue with both is longevity, Zion is having major injury issues now what will he be physically in 6-8 years? Jokic has the same questions but for a different reasoning, Jokic’s lateral mobility and athleticism is very average now, if he picks up some injuries (he’s prone to carry weight like Zion) as he ages he would be a sieve defensively. Tatum has the body to have a very healthy 15 year career and as he ages out could bulk up like LeBron and move closer to the rim.

[Ed Monix]

I would be interested to see what would happen if you directly swapped Tatum for Ben Simmons for the rest of the season if we would improve or get worse. You could argue that this team is actually better constructed for Simmons then 76ers and I would wonder if Simmons better defence and passing improves Celtics or does his lack of shooting make us worse.

Please note I’m not advocating for a trade but would be an interesting experiment.

Theis
Ojeleye
Simmons
Brown
Walker

He’d need an open paint on offence and shooters around him that are good to great.

I’d like to know, what do you think would happen?

[gouki88]

I would be interested to see what would happen if you directly swapped Tatum for Ben Simmons for the rest of the season if we would improve or get worse. You could argue that this team is actually better constructed for Simmons then 76ers and I would wonder if Simmons better defence and passing improves Celtics or does his lack of shooting make us worse.

Please note I’m not advocating for a trade but would be an interesting experiment.

Theis
Ojeleye
Simmons
Brown
Walker

He’d need an open paint on offence and shooters around him that are good to great.

I’d like to know, what do you think would happen?

Yuck, wouldn't swap Tatum for Simmons in any world. Simmons sucks in the half-court, can't space the floor at all, and hasn't improved his offensive game at all throughout his entire NBA career. In fact, he's barely improved any aspect of his game, despite being on an NBA team for 5 years.

Tatum is a better player now than Simmons, by a significant margin, and that margin is only going to continue growing.

There are about a handful of guys Tatum would be on the table for. Those are: Luka, KAT, Jokic, Zion and Giannis. Embiid is a maybe.

[PhoSita]

Tatum was the lead scoring option for a team that went to Game 7 of the ECF AS A ROOKIE.

He shouldered an even bigger load this past summer as the lead scoring option for a team that got to Game 6 of the ECF.


The Celts have won a TON of games in the regular season and playoffs since Tatum was drafted.  He has consistently been one of the most important players on the team during that time.


How, in light of all of that, do you reach the conclusion, or even suspect, that Tatum's style of play is not "conducive to winning"?

[gouki88]

Tatum was the lead scoring option for a team that went to Game 7 of the ECF AS A ROOKIE.

He shouldered an even bigger load this past summer as the lead scoring option for a team that got to Game 6 of the ECF.


The Celts have won a TON of games in the regular season and playoffs since Tatum was drafted.  He has consistently been one of the most important players on the team during that time.


How, in light of all of that, do you reach the conclusion, or even suspect, that Tatum's style of play is not "conducive to winning"?

Yeah, it's crazy. Tatum has improved every single season and has been the guy on deep playoff-run teams. He's also probably our second or third best passer now too!

[NKY fan]

Luka and lebron for me.
Lebron guarantees us a finals appearance. It’s also possible that he may play at a high level another 8-10 years.
Then Luka is just great on his own.
Everyone else mentioned above I can be talked into but would be hesitant to pull a trade.

[Csfan1984]

There was a time I felt Giannis had too many flaws to be a MVP level player.

[tstorey_97]

Tatum was the lead scoring option for a team that went to Game 7 of the ECF AS A ROOKIE.

He shouldered an even bigger load this past summer as the lead scoring option for a team that got to Game 6 of the ECF.


The Celts have won a TON of games in the regular season and playoffs since Tatum was drafted.  He has consistently been one of the most important players on the team during that time.


How, in light of all of that, do you reach the conclusion, or even suspect, that Tatum's style of play is not "conducive to winning"?

Yeah, it's crazy. Tatum has improved every single season and has been the guy on deep playoff-run teams. He's also probably our second or third best passer now too!

He is becoming a very high level passer. Look at him now...he is getting better. He does no have the "killer" that Larry or MJ had, but he's top ten. Look at how the other stars kiss his you know what. They want him on their team.

[Indocelts]

Would love to have a dominant center, so I’ll accept Jokic for Tatum.
Luka is also OK, but then need to trade Kemba.

[BringToughnessBack]

Luckily there was not internet in the 80’s..would have so enjoyed reading what is the value of Bird. Ridiculous on so many levels.

[esel1000]

Luckily there was not internet in the 80’s..would have so enjoyed reading what is the value of Bird. Ridiculous on so many levels.

Yep we’re talking about a 22 year old superstar here...

There’s two players in the league I’d trade him for...Jokic and Doncic. Would have said Giannis in the past as well but his playoff woes have really cooled me on him.

[GreenCoffeeBean]

Tatum is a good player but as fans we naturally overrate him. He’s still an average to slightly above average defender and on offense he goes into spells of laziness. He’s young though so plenty of room to get better still but every day the clock is ticking.

He’s in that weird space right now of being too good too trade for most players but the same also applies to how other teams value him too.

Brown is the better player so far this year.

[jpotter33]

Luka and Giannis, and maybe Jokic, though I worry about longevity with him.

I think Zion is overhyped and has major long-term longevity concerns on those knees with his weight. Think Griffin only hitting that major drop 2-3 years earlier.

Not that big on KAT. I think KAT is closer to a Brown's level than Tatum.