Celtics eye center help as Jayson Tatum quietly works toward return
The Celtics have some decisions coming as they look for center help, and two contracts may determine what’s possible.
Brian Robb of MassLive writes that Boston could use Anfernee Simons’ expiring deal as a trade chip, even taking back a longer contract just to preserve flexibility for the summer.
Sam Hauser’s team-friendly number also gives the front office options.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum has been quietly grinding behind the scenes.
He’s recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered in the playoffs, and while Boston hasn’t put a timetable on anything, teammates keep saying the same thing — he looks good.
“He’s staying mentally, physically, emotionally prepared,” Hauser said via The Boston Globe. “He’s working his tail off every day … his presence is still felt even though he’s not out there with us.”
Tatum hopes to play before season’s end. Even if he’s not ready to carry the team through the postseason, Adam Himmelsbach notes it could be valuable for him to log a few games and build chemistry with the young guys.
He’s been more active in practices open to the media, moving freely in shooting drills and showing no obvious limitations.
For now, the Celtics wait — on trades, on roster clarity, and on the franchise star who’s inching closer.
Austin Reaves Gets Honest About Anthony Davis After Lakers Win
Austin Reaves added another big performance to his growing resume on Anthony Davis’ first trip back to Los Angeles, powering the
Reaves erupted for 38 points, eight rebounds and three assists, outscoring Davis by more than three-to-one on the night the former Lakers superstar returned from a 14-game absence with a strained calf. Davis managed 12 points on 10 shots in 30 minutes, but the two shared a moment afterward, swapping jerseys at Davis’ request.
“He’s one of the best players to ever touch a basketball,” Reaves said. “I don’t know why he wanted my jersey, but to get his is pretty special. I’ve got a lot of love for AD. He’s a big reason why I’m here today. From day one, he told me to be myself and keep working. I owe him a lot.”
Reaves’ All-Star Surge Continues: Top-10 Scoring, Elite Efficiency
Reaves’ dominance has now pushed him into the top 10 in NBA scoring, ranking ninth at 28.5 points per game. He toyed with the Mavericks’ defense, knocking down 12 of his 15 shot attempts while controlling the pace of the offense. His 51.6% shooting ranks
Davis, who spent four seasons alongside Reaves in Los Angeles, said none of this is surprising.
“He always had it,” Davis said. “With LeBron being out, he got to be that No. 2 option and control the ball. And even with LeBron back, they trust him. When I was here, I loved his game. Now he’s doing it every night.”
Reaves is on pace to shatter last season’s numbers, when he averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Through 15 games this year, he is posting 28.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists, driving the Lakers’ offense with star-level consistency.
Reaves’ Exploding Market Value Sets Up Massive Free-Agency Decision
Reaves’ breakout comes at a defining moment in his career. After declining a four-year, $89.2 million offer from the Lakers last summer, he is expected to opt out of his $14.9 million player option and hit unrestricted free agency.
League executives believe his earning power could explode.
According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, the NBA’s rising salary cap could push Reaves’ max offer from other teams to around $42 million per year, placing him in the same tier as stars like
“If he plays well, there will be offers north of $40 million for him,” Woike said on The Zach Lowe Show. “His max from another team starts around $42 million. He and Trae — those are the free agents everyone’s watching.”
Under league rules, the Lakers are the only team allowed to offer Reaves a five-year maximum contract, projected at $240.7 million, per Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale. Other teams are capped at four years and $178.5 million. A four-year max from the Lakers would reach $185.9 million.
With at least 10 teams expected to hold major cap space next summer, Reaves is poised to become one of the most coveted free agents on the market.
Lakers Eye 2nd NBA Cup Title
Though Davis struggled statistically in his return, his influence on Reaves’ career was unmistakable Wednesday — especially as Reaves talked about what Davis meant to him during their time as teammates.
The Lakers’ win keeps them atop Group B and pushes them closer to their second NBA Cup title — with their new star, Austin Reaves, rapidly climbing into All-Star territory.
Luka Dončić added 35 points and 11 assists while LeBron James had 13 points and 7 assists for the Lakers, who now have the second-best odds to win the NBA Cup. The
But if the Lakers’ Big 3 continue to play this well, all bets are off.
