Report: Jayson Tatum recruiting 1 All-Star to Celtics

Jayson Tatum may be nursing a torn Achilles, but he is still doing some good work right now for the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics star Tatum is actively recruiting free agent guard Damian Lillard to the team, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reported on Sunday. Washburn notes that Lillard is in no hurry to sign but adds that the Celtics are interested in adding Lillard on a multi-year deal with an eye on the 2026-27 season.

Lillard, the nine-time All-Star, is an unrestricted free agent after being stretched-and-waived by the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month. At almost 35 years old, he will likely miss all of next season thanks to an Achilles tear. But that could work out perfectly for the Celtics, who may treat 2025-26 as a punt year anyway with Tatum also expected to miss the entire season with his own Achilles rupture.

Tatum and Lillard are known to have a close friendship. Boston has a need at guard as well after trading away Jrue Holiday, but they would like to add cheaper option with an eye on staying under the second apron of the luxury tax.

Lillard averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game last season for the Bucks. While it is anybody’s guess how a player of his age will look upon his return from an Achilles tear, the swing is probably worth taking for the Celtics.

Boston is behind the eight-ball a bit since they are geographically pretty far from Lillard’s home state of Oregon (and since there are a couple of other competitive suitors for Lillard as well). But for Tatum’s part, it looks like he is doing all that he can to ensure that Lillard ends up in Celtics green.