Jayson Tatum is officially on the road to his eventual return to the Boston Celtics during the 2025-26 NBA season.
On Monday, the Celtics' official X account relayed that, "Jayson Tatum will be assigned to participate in portions of the Maine Celtics practice at the Auerbach Center this afternoon." The team added that their star forward "will be immediately recalled" to the NBA roster, where he'll "continue his rehab process."
While the immediate thought from most in the fanbase is probably on what Tatum will look like next to newly acquired big man Nikola Vucevic, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White, there is also the negative side of a major lineup acquisition: who will be bounced from the lineup.
These three Celtics could see their minutes slashed once Tatum returns, whenever that may be.
1. Sam Hauser (24.1 minutes per game)
Sam Hauser has played the sixth-most minutes on the team this season without Tatum in the lineup, even starting 22 of his first 50 games in 2025-26. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Hauser's shooting percentages dropped in extended minutes. Initially, his three-point shooting really suffered, having shot 27.5% from downtown in November.
Hauser's best role is as a specialist, not a big-minute eater. Hauser is a good defender, but was exposed some nights with assignments he wasn't meant to have for as long as he did in a Tatum-less lineup.
Tatum's return will cut Hauser's minutes, but that may be best for the former Marquette and Virginia star's efficiency, which is the greatest strength he brings to Boston.
2. Hugo Gonzalez (15.3 MPG)
Hugo Gonzalez has had a brilliant rookie season, but head coach Joe Mazzulla need not risk overplaying him too early. Tatum's return was always going to cut into his minutes, since a rookie shouldn't be relied on when the going gets tough in the postseason. But that it's happening probably sometime in late February probably means Gonzalez still has some time to prove he's a long-term keeper for the Celtics.
Of course, Gonzalez's recent struggles from the field mean Tatum's return is happening right on time. He's 0-of-17 from the three-point line in his last six games, so that overexposure may be happening as we speak.
If Gonzalez's struggles persist once Tatum is ready, the Celtics might have no choice but to leave the rookie on the bench.
3. Jordan Walsh (18.2 MPG)
Jordan Walsh was one of the early beneficiaries of Tatum's absence, along with Josh Minott. However, both have steadily fallen out of the rotation. Minott is off the team entirely, having been traded to the Brooklyn Nets at the deadline.
Walsh started 20 games, but he didn't make enough of a mark to remain in the rotation once Tatum returns. In fact, while Gonzalez may see his minutes dwindle, Walsh may see his minutes disappear. It will be more important for Mazzulla to develop Gonzalez, who has several years remaining on his rookie deal, than Walsh, who has a 2026-27 team option that isn't worth picking up.
Walsh never had as much grace as Gonzalez, needing to stand out to keep his role. While he could end up on the end of the bench as a familiar hustle guy, he's probably never going to be an impactful wing if/when Tatum is back at the 3, 4, and even 5 in small-ball lineups.