Boston star Jayson Tatum was seen walking without restriction during two public events this week, a positive sign three months after Achilles surgery. The forward stopped by the New England Patriots training camp on Wednesday, then joined head coach Joe Mazzulla on Thursday at the groundbreaking of an early-education center in Boston.
Tatum did not address reporters, but team president Rich Gotham said the 27-year-old’s mobility marked “little milestones” in a demanding rehab process. “He’s gone from walking around in a boot and just kind of wiggling his toes to, as you see him today, walking around a little more freely,” Gotham noted. He declined to speculate on a possible return this season, adding only that Tatum “will do everything he can” to give the organization a decision to make should doctors clear him.
Luxury-tax pressure
After sending Georges Niang to Utah, Boston shaved nearly $50 million off its projected luxury-tax bill but still sits roughly $12.1 million above the threshold, according to cap analyst Yossi Gozlan. Two cost-cutting options remain:
- Move Sam Hauser and his $10 million salary, then swap out minimum-salary players at the deadline for lower prorated deals to slip under the line.
- Trade Anfernee Simons ($27.7 million) to a team below the first apron; that club would only need to send back $19.2 million in contracts, positioning Boston to duck the tax with minor deadline adjustments.
Coaching stability
The multiyear extension awarded to Mazzulla provides continuity amid roster turnover. League sources say the 36-year-old coach maintains strong support from Tatum and fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown.
Imagem: Bob DeChiara via hoopsrumors.com
WNBA pursuit
Minority owner Steve Pagliuca continues to pursue the purchase of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun with the intent to relocate the franchise to Boston. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey backs the bid, which aims to secure a team before the league’s next expected expansion window in 2033.
Source: Hoops Rumors
