Celtics Forward Unconcerned About Summer Trade Possibility, Ready To Move On

Jayson Tatum has no qualms about being traded and insists that he will be happy as long as he gets to play basketball. The young forward could be on his way out if the Boston Celtics go all out in their effort to trade for Anthony Davis.

The New Orleans Pelicans are said to be considering offers from the Los Angeles Lakers and Celtics for Davis and the team’s executive vice-president of basketball operations, David Griffin, is certain to ask for Tatum as part of any trade package the Boston franchise offers.

Tatum is one of the most highly rated prospects in the NBA and despite having an inconsistent second season in the league, he is considered a future All-Star. He was the second top scorer behind Kyrie Irving for the Celtics last season.

A number of players might be concerned if their name is mentioned as potential makeweights in a trade deal but Tatum made it clear that he is not concerned and will not hold a grudge if he is let go by the Celtics this summer.

"The NBA is a business, and people have to make business decisions, and it is totally out of my control," Tatum said, as quoted on CBS Sports. "I've just got to control myself and what I do and working out and playing the game I love. And I tell people all the time that if I get traded, there's nothing I can do. I'm not going to be upset or mad [at] who I play for. I just love to play basketball."

However, with multiple reports claiming Irving is on his way out of Boston when he enters free agency this summer, there is a possibility Tatum could be retained by the Celtics. The Boston franchise's general manager Danny Ainge could hold back from losing his young core if the All-Star point guard walks out of the door and joins another team.

Moreover, Davis’ agent has made it clear that his client will enter free agency in 2020, which could mean that the power forward will just be a one-year rental for the Celtics. It will be unwise on Ainge to barter the team’s best young talent for a player albeit an elite level one for just a single campaign.