Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is out of the 2025-26 NBA season after tearing his Achilles in May, but he is not entirely sold out on the roster, just yet.

The Celtics have undergone major changes in the offseason, trading away All-Stars Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in order to control cap space and avoid the luxury tax. The moves were necessary, knowing the Celtics may not have the firepower to contend in the East without Tatum.

Though the Celtics are not expected to do well in 2025-2026, Tatum has faith in Jaylen Brown, with whom he won the NBA championship last year. 

“JB is an All-NBA player, a Finals MVP, he’s won a championship. He’s one of the most talented guys in the NBA… he’s been in this position before,” Tatum said on First Take.

In Tatum’s absence, Brown will have to lead the Celtics’ scoring from the front. He was the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and has the tools to take down any team when he’s in good touch.

Jayson Tatum’s big endorsement of Celtics’ depth and coach Joe Mazulla

Apart from Brown, Jayson Tatum is also bullish on the remaining 2024 championship core. He shared love for the group that won it all last year, including coach Joe Mazulla.

“I love the guys that we have on our team. I love the core group that we still have that won a championship together with some new guys. We still have the best coach in the NBA,” he added.

Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser are the few players returning from that core. They have evolved to take more responsible roles within the group. Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh and Xavier Tillman Sr. were also part of the championship core.

Though Tatum is in high spirits, the Celtics face tough odds to make it out of the East.