Report: Jayson Tatum has tried to recruit Damian Lillard to Boston amid trade request
We are nearly two months removed from Damian Lillard‘s trade request on the first full day of the 2023 NBA Free Agency period.
All signs still indicate that Lillard’s remained steadfast on wanting to get traded to the Miami Heat, even though the Blazers have reportedly refused to negotiate with Heat brass regarding those discussions.
But in a recent interview on “Sports by Northwest” podcast, ESPN’s Marc Spears reported that Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum tried to recruit Lillard to Boston amid his request, even though NBA insider Chris Haynes–who’s close with Lillard–shut down that notion of him going to Boston earlier this offseason.
“I know Jayson Tatum has called him, try to get in his ear,” Spears said. “But his focus is definitely on Miami.”
Here is what Haynes reported on the “Dan Patrick Show” regarding Lillard’s possible interest in joining Boston.
“He’s not doing Boston. He’s not,” he said. “I think that’s pretty safe to say.”
Lillard even had fun with it on his Instagram Live after Haynes’ comments.
It’s no surprise that Jayson Tatum, one of the league’s best wings, tried to recruit Lillard, a seven-time All-Star and a seven-time All-NBA honoree at the back end of his prime.
Similar to how most teams do their due diligence by checking in with other teams’ players in trade talks, it shouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise that the league’s premier players are checking in and possibly trying to recruit … well, another premier player, who happens to be one of the NBA’s worst teams.
The NBA is a fraternity, and the Celtics are one of the best teams in the East. It makes sense, even if the possibility is dim. Tatum, who played with Lillard in the 2020 Olympics, probably isn’t the only star player to check in, even though Lillard has tunnel vision with Miami.
“[Lillard]’s kind of got that kind of like military basketball mentality. He wants to work. Also, the stability of the organization, the winning, like they’ve been to the Finals what, seven times since 2006? Obviously, Bam (Adebayo), and Jimmy (Butler) helps, no state tax helps, sunshine helps,” Spears said regarding Lillard’s perception of the Heat. “And I think at 33 years old, he looks at the landscape of the West and it’s like Mmmm… I think my chances are better to go out East, and if Miami is able to make the Finals without somebody like myself, what can they do with me?’ So, you don’t make that move unless it’s certainly a calculated risk.”
Training camp is set to open up on Oct. 3 with a deal expected to happen before then. Lillard, 33, is coming off a career season, averaging a career-high 32.2 points and 7.3 assists on 64.5 percent true shooting in 58 games. The Heat own the league’s most playoff wins since Jimmy Butler ahead of 2019-20, have made it to two of the last four NBA Finals and will almost certainly be the favorite in the East if a Lillard deal comes to fruition.
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