Jayson Tatum 'can't imagine' leaving the Celtics

Jayson Tatum is well on his way to becoming a Boston Celtics legend. 

The St. Louis native has established himself as a top-five or top-seven player in the NBA and is entering the 2024-25 season as a defending champion. He's already built a resume capable of earning him a spot in the Hall of Fame. However, his goal is to be seen as one of the greatest Celtics of all time.

For Tatum, that's a lofty goal. He's playing for a franchise that has boasted Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Paul Pierce, Tommy Heinsohn and Bob Cousy, to name a few. Still, if he can continue to help raise championship banners in the TD Garden while also dominating on the court, he could see that goal become a reality. Of course, that means he will likely spend the rest of his career — or at least his prime — in Boston. 

During a recent interview with Marc J. Spears of Andescape, Tatum confirmed that he "can't imagine" leaving the relationships he created in Boston behind. He doesn't envision himself going to a different team and trying to rebuild his life elsewhere in the NBA. 

"I admire and love the relationships I’ve built within the organization, all the coaches that I’ve had, obviously, the front office, security guards, trainers, chefs, the fans, the people that work at the Garden, the ball boys that do our laundry," Tatum said. "The relationships I’ve built over the last seven, eight years, I can’t imagine starting over and leaving them or this place.

There are a bunch of 10-year-olds in Boston who will feel like I’m a part of their childhood. ‘I grew up watching him play at the Garden. I grew up watching him win championships.’ In a sports town like Boston, that’s special to be a part of.”