Jayson Tatum Recruiting Damian Lillard To Celtics

Jayson Tatum is recruiting Damian Lillard to the Boston Celtics, according to NBA reporter Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. 

Lillard is an unrestricted free agent after getting waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Tatum and Lillard are rehabbing Achilles tears. It’s unknown if either All-Star will play next season. 

“I just was told that they’re communicating and Tatum is recruiting,” Washburn said on The Garden Report. “I mean, Tatum is the face of the franchise. So yeah, you’re told he’s recruiting. I don’t know if they’re like FaceTiming every day or they’re on Snapchat and sharing videos and you know look at my uh rehab video, I’m swimming. Yeah, I’m swimming. What about you? What are you up to, Dame? Like, I don’t know if it’s that deep, but they are communicating.”

Lillard tore his left Achilles on April 27, while Tatum tore his right Achilles on May 12.

The Celtics lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in six games. Jrue Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks to save money. 

Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists for the Bucks last season while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. He’s one of the best point guards in NBA history. 

A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Trail Blazers. 

Lillard has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists with the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He’s fourth in NBA history in 3-point field goals. 

Tatum appeared in 72 games for the Celtics last season. The small forward averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 45.2% overall, 34.3% from 3 and 81.4% from the foul line.

A six-time All-Star, Tatum has spent his entire career with the Celtics. He has career averages of 23.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists. The Duke product has made five All-NBA teams. He helped Boston win the 2024 title against the Dallas Mavericks.