This week, Celtics player Jayson Tatum had another nostalgic experience that he shared on Instagram story, and it went viral. In it, Tatum detailed his hopes and aspirations for the next two decades, including a possible NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers or Phoenix Suns, as well as a number other childhood objectives.
When I look back twenty years from now, I’ll remember that I met Kristen during my freshman year at Ohio State. “We will have tied the knot and welcomed a son and a daughter into this world,” the youthful Tatum wrote. A large mansion in Phoenix, Arizona, will be ours. The Los Angeles Lakers will acquire me in a trade after I’ve played for the Phoenix Suns for six years. You will be traded to the Lakers of Los Angeles. Like it’s a dream come true, I’m going to make a living playing basketball.
It was a fourth-grade homework to imagine one’s life twenty years from now, as Tatum explained in the caption. Tatum talked about his desire to play for the top NBA clubs with the self-assurance of a legend.
At Duke University, 6’8″ Tatum was a standout player who averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He intended to graduate and go Ohio State. He captivated NBA clubs with his towering stature and offensive versatility, and the Celtics couldn’t resist drafting him third overall.
Despite the Suns’ best efforts, they were unable to sign Tatum after all this time. He has strong ties to the industry when he was a young star, yet he has managed to stay free of their clutches. Had he been paired with Devin Booker, the former 15th overall pick, the five-time All-Star would have propelled the Suns to the top of the championship standings.
The Lakers also had an opportunity to select Tatum in the past, most notably at the 2017 NBA draft when they held the second overall pick. The Lakers might have drafted Tatum to resurrect their faltering franchise after Markelle Fluctz was given the honor of going first.
Lonzo Ball, who the Lakers had high hopes for early on, was instead selected. However, he was unable to deliver when his team needed him most. In the meanwhile, Tatum won his first championship while leading or co-leading the Celtics to deep playoff runs year after year. He also created a new winning culture.
The Celtics have secured Tatum’s NBA future with a five-year, $315 million deal, and I’m sure he and his family have been acclimated to life in the greater Boston area. Plus, the Celtics are now riding high as the 2024 NBA champions; Tatum would never jeopardize that.
To make matters worse, the shot has the potential to serve as another illustration of the Suns’ (and the Lakers’) failings, as they undid many attempts to revitalize their franchise.
Even at 26 years old, it’s reasonable to assume that the “4th grade” Tatum would be pleased with his accomplishments. Tatum may not be spot-on with the specifics, but he has risen to become one of the game’s top players and is living the modern NBA dream as a prominent figure.
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