Celtics news & rumors: Tatum takes gold; Dennis Schroder seeing green
Add Olympic gold medalist to Jayson Tatum’s young NBA resume as the Boston Celtics emerging superstar chipped in 19 points to help lead the United States men’s basketball team triumph to victory over France in the Tokyo Olympics.
With Kevin Durant once again leading the way with 29 points in the team’s 87-82 gold medal win Friday night, Tatum served as the second-best player on the team proving just how bright his future is.
As for Celtics fans, it shows a player who is ready to transcend his game to that next level as he went 8-of-14 from the field, including a three-point dagger late in the second half that stretched Team USA’s lead to 10 points with under 3:30 left in the game.
The win marked the fourth straight Olympic gold for Team USA, who overcame early struggles to show the world that they are still the team to beat when they play as a team.
Most importantly, along with Durant, the Celtics shining All-Star got it together and played like the best basketball players on the planet. An incredible feeling? Oh indeed. Celtics nation is smiling, the entire nation is smiling, and obviously 23-year-old Jayson Tatum is smiling.
"“It’s an incredible feeling. Something you always dream about,” Tatum said following the game, as transcribed by WEEI. “I can remember being in high school and watching these guys win the gold medal, and now to play alongside them and win one, and in a climate like this, everything that we went through, not being able to bring our family. I know Deuce is watching. This is an amazing feeling.”"
Just call him “Gold Medal Jay.”
St. Louis to Tokyo… whole lot to smile about! “Gold Medal Jay” when you see me please!🥇 pic.twitter.com/3LQPsURqsv
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) August 7, 2021
The question now is just how much this experience will propel Tatum in leading the 2021-22 Boston Celtics squad back into the upper echelon of Eastern Conference contenders.
NBA rumors: Boston Celtics and Dennis Schroder showing mutual interest
Speaking of the 2021-22 version of the Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens is looking to improve the point guard position and NBA rumors currently have them linked to free agent point guard Dennis Schroder.
Here's what a source told me on the Celtics and Dennis Schroder: Both sides have interest. Boston is interested in only a short-term deal, ideally one year. Schroder is still looking for more money than the Celtics can offer and/or a longer deal.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 6, 2021
Obviously, given the team’s salary cap limitations any deal involving Schroder would be a one-year deal. Schroder is obviously looking for more money and more of a long-term deal. Therefore, the chances of this mutual interest evolving seems dim.
It also seems to be dependent on Marcus Smart and his potential contract extension. If Smart declines his 4-year extension, would this lead to the Celtics trading the player known as their “heart and soul” or is the interest in Schroder simply leverage in the contract negotiations.
Ideally, Stevens would love to have both Smart and Schroder holding down the point guard position, but money could get in the way of that scenario unless Schroder is willing to take that one-year deal for minimum money to earn a bigger deal next offseason.
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With this latest NBA rumor swirling, it will be interesting to see if the Celtics land a player and even more interesting to see what does happen with Smart in relation to his future with the team. It could just depend on Schroder and whether he signs or follow the money trail elsewhere.