Jayson Tatum is at the top of the world after winning his first NBA championship with the Boston Celtics this year. However, he shared that it was a bittersweet feeling because he didn’t win it with some of his favorite former teammates.
In his interview with Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, the five-time NBA All-Star named Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III as some of the ex-teammates he wanted to win Banner No. 18 with, given their contributions to the team in the years past.
“The toughest part about winning this championship is that Smart isn’t here and Rob isn’t here. But I’m so happy that we have Jrue (Holiday) and KP (Kristaps Porzingis). Those guys obviously took us to the next level,” Tatum said.
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The Boston Celtics dealt Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III in separate deals last offseason, as the former went to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, and the latter was sent to the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday deal.
Boston Celtics are planning to run it back
The Boston Celtics are poised to win their second consecutive NBA championship next season because they almost kept all their players from the 2023-24 winning team, except for Oshae Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk.
Jayson Tatum signed a five-year, $314 million extension, while Derrick White signed a four-year, $126 million extension earlier this month. And on Sunday, the Boston Celtics gave Sam Hauser a four-year, $45 million extension.
As currently constructed, the Boston Celtics have the NBA’s first $500 million roster, which puts them above the second apron under the new CBA.
