The Boston Celtics’ aspirations came crashing down the moment Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles. They faced elimination at the hands of the New York Knicks. That has led to the onset of uncertainty within the Celtics. How do they fall under the second apron to avoid a huge penalty? But more importantly, they need to find a fitting personnel to even closely mimic Jayson Tatum. Their only shot at an affordable replacement lies in the NBA draft.
But things aren’t looking up for the Shamrocks due to one thing. The $2 billion NIL market.
Don’t get it wrong. The top echelon of players in this year’s NBA draft, such as Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe, have nothing to worry about. However, it’s the middle of the draft where things get complicated. As Brad Stevens admitted, “I think when you’re at 28 and 32 you’re not exactly able to pinpoint exactly how that night’s going to go,”.
The concept of NIL deals has become a weapon for colleges. In the Celtics’ frame of picks, the athletes can be caught between two minds. For a player eligible to continue their college journey, they could stand to make more money through NIL deals than a first-year rookie contract. Additionally, once a player does make an NBA jump, the NIL pathway gets blocked off.
For several of these players, continuing to play in college does offer advantages. With NIL, they could make the most money they have ever seen in their lives for an additional year. From a development standpoint, they could play greater minutes as seasoned collegiate players and gain vast experience while increasing their draft stock.
May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is helped off the court by after an injury in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Tatum would leave the game with an injury after this play. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
For the Celtics, that’s bad news. Imminent trades will significantly affect the competitive ability of their team. Moreover, with Jayson Tatum likely to miss the entire season, the draft is their only way to gain an affordable replacement. According to the mock draft, the Celtics could land UNC’s Drake Powell and French native Noah Penda through their picks.
Powell has the option of returning to college as a junior. Penda playing internationally may just fall to the Shamrocks. But both of them are coveted names in a draft that’s extremely deep this season. This is also an opportunity for both of them to develop in the Celtics system due to Tatum’s absence.
What will ultimately go a long way, though, is a word of assurance from any franchise. For the late first-round and second-round projections, that’s what matters. These players have until May 28th to opt out of the draft. If it doesn’t flow for the Celtics, how do they cope?
Can Jaylen Brown take on Jayson Tatum’s burden?
Keeping their draft possibility aside, the Celtics have to learn how to live without Jayson Tatum this season. That means defining a primary scorer who can take on that role for the entire season. The obvious answer is Jaylen Brown. But after spending his entire career playing second in command, does he have what it takes.
Gilbert Arenas doesn’t see it.
“As of right now, as of how we finish the season, no. Um he doesn’t have really the playmaking skills. Um he’s a slash or score style. I mean, he can be Batman some nights, but Batman for the whole season. We haven’t seen that yet,” he told Stephen A. Smith on First Take.
There’s another complication with Brown, though. The explosive forward played the last part of the season with a partially torn meniscus in his knee. Stephen A. Smith wondered whether that gives him a “break” from the expectations. But Gilbert Arenas doesn’t feel that was the reason for his recent performances. He believes it to be a product of being a “killer co-pilot” to Tatum.
So, although he doesn’t see Brown making a leap as the primary option, Agent Zero does believe in his potential. “You’re talking about, you know, being Shai. You have to be able to facilitate the ball. You got to be able to play make. You got to be able to take over. You got to be able to defend. And he has all those tools. He just needs to redefine them,” he said of Brown.
What’s certain is that it’s going to be a difficult transition for the Celtics to make. They not only have uncertainty in their draft process, but having Brown operate as the number one option is imperative if they want to remain a top contender for the next season.
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