The Boston Celtics' offseason has been a strange one, faced with the reality that Jayson Tatum's brutal Achilles injury likely derails any hope at competing for a championship next year.
After trading away both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, it's obvious that this organization is looking to a new core after investing heavily into the core of Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It's a strange situation for the franchise to be in after winning the NBA Finals recently, but Tatum seems fully focused on recruiting new stars to come help Boston in future seasons.
In fact, the four-time First-Team All-NBA wing may be making a huge mistake with his new efforts that could derail the Celtics' future chances at hoisting another trophy.
Jayson Tatum has been recruiting Damian Lillard to join the Celtics, per @GwashburnGlobe pic.twitter.com/W3A0PPUxdh
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 13, 2025
Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Making Huge Mistake in Recruiting Damian Lillard
According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, Tatum is trying to get Damian Lillard to join the Celtics. Lillard tore his Achilles in the playoffs as well and will be 36 years old before the new season starts, meaning he likely won't touch the court again until 2026.
At that point, he'll be 37 and four years removed from his last All-NBA honor. Lillard is one of the best guards of this generation, yet Father Time may have passed him by. Since neither player expects to suit up in 2025-26, it makes little sense to commit money to Lillard. It's time for Boston to look at the new era of supporting players to bolster the roster, and Lillard certainly does not fit that description.
It's entirely possible that Lillard recovers fully and can still operate at an elite level, but it's unlikely. LeBron James just made an All-NBA team over the age of 40 and he's the exception, not the rule. For a younger team like the Celtics that has proven in recent years to be excellent at filling out depth roles, it makes little sense to believe that Lillard will be part of the next championship.
From that perspective, Tatum is making a mistake. For all the respect he likely has for Lillard, age catches everyone. It seems to have caught the former Portland Trailblazers great, and now Boston needs to show the proper restraint to avoid hurting the cap in what'll be a crucial couple of years.
It's time to invest in youth, not the legends of yesteryear. Here's hoping Tatum learns that valuable lesson.