Why Celtics Fans Should be Happy with Jason Tatum

The Boston Celtics had a one of a kind opportunity this off-season. They were the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and also had the #1 pick in the draft after a trade with the Brooklyn Nets gave them the lottery rights. Boston ultimately traded the first pick to Philadelphia for the 3rd pick and future potential lottery picks.

I have heard some buzz about why the Celtics did this and not take the "sure fire" Fultz out of Washington, and why Jason Tatum when you have Jae Crowder and just drafted Jaylen Brown last season both Small Forwards like Tatum?

Celtics fans I promise this was the right decision. I understand Fultz was the #1 pick on every mock draft and averaged 20/5/5 or something like that, but he played in the Pac-12. Fultz average 20 points in a league were defensive is suspect at best! Tatum who averaged almost 17 per game played in the ACC, arguably the toughest conference in college basketball. Tatum also is a far more polished scorer and is the most "NBA ready" in this draft class.

Jason Tatum has the ability to consistently score from all three levels, at the rim, mid range and from 3, which is something the Celtics need, another consistent scorer next to Isaiah Thomas. Boston has grown an affection for IT which made me confident they weren't going to trade him despite the rumors and let him play out the final year of his deal, and if he plays well you can resign him.

Now that the Celtics have Tatum, they may look to move Jae Crowder. He has been serviceable and could definitely be valuable in a trade, but he is not an NBA starter in my opinion. They can package Crowder and bring in another big man to help Horford down low and the Celtics lineup and bench will be ready to go!

Brown and Tatum will fight for the starting job but both will get plenty of minutes and with IT, Avery Bradley, Al Horford and if they can grab another big guy, these Celtics are prime for another Eastern Conference Finals run!