Jayson Tatum’s Possible Return Changes Everything for Boston Celtics

This was supposed to be a down year for the Boston Celtics.

Al Horford, the heart and soul of the Celtics, went to the Warriors in free agency. Kristaps Porzingis was shipped off to the Hawks for virtually nothing. Jrue Holiday was flipped to the Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons, and even depth pieces like Luke Kornet elected to leave for the Spurs in free agency.

Most importantly, in last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals, Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon — an injury most would have assumed would sideline him for all of this season.

Fast forward to today, and the Celtics are 34-19 and tied for second place in the East. Jaylen Brown has silenced plenty of haters with an MVP-level season, and head coach Joe Mazzulla continues to prove why he’s one of the best leaders in the NBA.

It’s truly been an incredibly fun season for Celtics fans. This year felt like house money, but now Boston is in position to win the East in what was supposed to be a down season.

I wouldn’t bet on this Celtics team to win the East as they’re currently constructed. I’m not sure I love their trade for Nikola Vucevic, but the move I’m most excited about is the potential return of Jayson Tatum.

Boston continues to say it’s being cautious with Tatum, so if that’s the case, he might be superhuman. Early reports highlighted how quickly Tatum was progressing in his recovery, and now he’s been cleared to practice with the Celtics’ G League affiliate in Maine.

Every rational person assumed Tatum would miss the entire season. He still might be out for the remainder of the year, but it’s starting to look like that won’t be the case. If he’s already able to fully practice, how long before he’s back as a full participant?

The Eastern Conference is completely wide open. You cannot rush Tatum back for the sake of his career, but if he’s able to play, would the Celtics instantly become the favorites again?

Most players need a full year of live action to get their legs back after an Achilles tear, but with how quickly Tatum has recovered, he may simply be an athletic anomaly.

Once again, Boston looks like the smartest organization in the league. They moved off big-money contracts in Porzingis and Holiday, retained an elite core led by arguably the best coach in basketball, and now their top-10 player could return for the playoffs.

Boston is +380 to win the East, and that number feels like it has real value. Revenge against the Knicks would certainly be on the table after last year’s second-round upset, and if James Harden doesn’t mesh in Cleveland, Detroit may be the only true competition.

It might be time to start respecting the Celtics again.