Jayson Tatum tells draft story on Membership 520 podcast

Jayson Tatum was lately on the Membership 520 Podcast (set to air tomorrow) hosted by former Celtics teammate and buddy Jeff Teague.

On the episode, Tatum advised his story concerning the draft course of, the Celtics initially telling him he wouldn’t get picked, how he wished to be a Los Angeles Laker, and his uncertainty of the place he was going to finish up.

Tatum begins out by speaking about how there have been two consensus high picks that have been going to be taken forward of him. “It was consensus that Markel [Fultz] was going #1, and when the Lakers bought the 2nd decide it was Lonzo [Ball] going #2, so it was by no means a thought in my thoughts, like everybody had their thoughts made up.”

He then talked about his first exercise with the Celtics and the way somebody within the entrance workplace from Boston advised him they may not decide him.

They advised Tatum, “it was the most effective exercises I’ve seen, good luck in your profession, however you already know we bought the number one decide so we’re most likely not gonna decide you.”

Photograph by Chris Marion/NBAE through Getty Photos

Tatum was dissatisfied with the Celtics response however that wasn’t the staff he actually wished to play for. His childhood dream was to at all times play for the Lakers. Nevertheless, even with the #2 decide, Tatum knew they weren’t going to take him.

“I grew up a Kobe fan so I at all times wished to play for the Lakers. So, for them to have the #2 decide, and it wasn’t even a thought I used to be gonna get drafted, that was kinda devastating.” Tatum continued, “I by no means labored out for the Lakers. They by no means got here to look at me exercise.”

When the hosts introduced up the Lakers story once more later within the podcast, they have been stunned about how locked of their resolution was about taking Lonzo Ball 2nd total.

Tatum responded with, “I used to be sick, too. I used to be so near my dream and I’d play for the Lakers. It was greatest case situation. They’re thoughts was made up and so they didn’t wish to come and watch me exercise or have me are available in.”

On June nineteenth, 2017, three days earlier than the draft, Celtics GM Danny Ainge would commerce the first total decide to the Philadelphia 76ers for the third total decide and one other future decide.

When the Celtics made the deal, Tatum already had his thoughts set that he was going to the Phoenix Suns. “I wished to go to Phoenix. Phoenix had the 4th decide. Earl Watson was the coach. I went on the market. I used to be taking a look at homes. The climate was good. That they had a younger staff. I used to be like, ‘I’m gonna get to play.’”

Photograph by Chris Marion/NBAE through Getty Photos

Three days earlier than the draft, Coach Okay advised Tatum that the Celtics wished to see a second exercise from him, however Tatum didn’t actually wish to do it. He advised Coach Okay, “Coach, they only got here off of an Japanese Convention Finals and so they bought a veteran staff. Like, I’m most likely not gonna play. I don’t wish to go.” Coach Okay would then begin to discuss how nice of a coach Brad Stevens was and that satisfied Tatum to attend the exercise.

Even with the second exercise with the Celtics, Tatum didn’t know the place he was going to get drafted. “I didn’t know the place I used to be getting drafted till they known as my identify and you already know the remaining is historical past, and all of it labored out.”

Jayson Tatum could be picked third total by the Boston Celtics and make the All-Rookie staff for the 2017-18 season. Alongside sophomore Jaylen Brown, Tatum would lead the Celtics to an Japanese Convention Finals run topped off by dunking on LeBron James on the peak of his powers.

Going into his eighth season with the Celtics, Tatum would stack up a powerful resume, turning into a five-time All Star, four-time All-NBA choice, Japanese Convention Finals MVP, All Star Sport MVP, and eventually, NBA champion.

It’s loopy to assume that if the Lakers weren’t so locked in on their resolution or if the Celtics didn’t commerce for the third decide, Jayson Tatum may very well be discovering success for one more NBA franchise and the Celtics may not have a future.

The complete episode with Tatum premieres tomorrow at 12pm ET on the Membership 520 YouTube channel.