Celtics reportedly make decision on trading Jayson Tatum after 3-1 playoff collapse

“Change is clearly necessary for the Celtics,” Siegel reported Friday. “This is not because their roster is a mess and their players don't fit together, but because of the way Boston lost to Philadelphia and collapsed in the series by losing three games on their home floor.”

“Whether or not this change will involve key players like Brown or Derrick White is the ultimate question. Right off the bat, the Celtics will not be considering anything that involves Tatum this offseason. He is the face of the franchise, and after returning earlier than many thought from his Achilles injury, Tatum has regained the mantle as the leader of the team.”

The Celtics are making the correct move. If anyone on the Celtics’ roster should be off limits from a trade vantage point, it should be Tatum.

The Duke product is the heart and soul of its franchise, and the Celtics should be eager to continue building around him. Boston’s failure to prevail with Tatum sidelined (he missed the final two games of the Celtics’ second-round series vs. the Knicks last year, and the last game of the franchise’s opening-round series vs. the 76ers) proves just how valuable the 28-year-old is to the Celtics.

Regarding Brown, the Celtics should be willing to at least listen to trade offers centered on Brown. Boston wants to return to the promised land where it belongs, and perhaps moving on from Brown could help the organization turn that dream into a reality.

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