Fans reacts as Jayson Tatum drops big hint about Boston Celtics future

Agent Zero in Boston appears to be in for the long run.

Veteran basketball journalist Jeff Goodman spoke with Celtics star Jayson Tatum this week. Tatum was asked about the prospect of spending his entire NBA career in Boston during the interview.

“You never know what can happen, but I love playing for the Celtics,” Tatum said. “I found my place in the city and have grown to appreciate it.” The fans are fantastic. It would be really difficult to leave this area.

“Just recently, I started to feel the connection with Boston,” he continued. “I have spent my adult life here, my son has grown up here, I’ve grown up here. I’ve accomplished so many things. It’s happened so fast, and Boston has played such an intricate part of my life. I just feel like I relate more, a lot more in these last two years. At first it was like I live here, but I’m from St. Louis. I’m a St. Louis kid. Now I’m a part of Boston. I really feel a connection with the city and the people of Boston.”

Tatum discussed many other topics, both on himself and on the Celtics as a team, in the interview with Goodman. You can read it in full here.

At just 25 years old, Tatum has already become an icon in Boston as a four-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA First Team selection. The Celtics have also made four conference finals appearances and one Finals appearance during the Tatum era.

For Tatum, who can become a free agent in two years if he turns down his $37.1 million player option for 2025-26, it is possible that he was just being diplomatic with his answer. But that was still a much stronger statement of loyalty than what we have seen from other one-team superstars lately.