Jayson Tatum’s rehabilitation appears to be going well.

Just three months after suffering a devastating torn Achilles during the Boston Celtics’ playoff run, the six-time NBA All-Star was seen already walking around without a boot. 

Nonetheless, Boston general manager Brad Stevens’ recent moves have telegraphed that he is in no rush to bring Tatum back and is looking beyond the upcoming season. Stevens has done a masterful job of shedding salary for the Celtics, cutting their projected salary and luxury tax bill by more than half in less than two months.

Boston’s latest move was a trade that sent away recently acquired Georges Niang and a pair of second round picks to the Utah Jazz for rookie RJ Luis Jr. This moved them closer to the first apron and there should be more moves on the horizon to eventually bring them below it. 

These moves are likely to lead to a difficult ‘25-’26 campaign for the Celtics, but it sets them up magnificently for the seasons beyond–in time for when Tatum is expected to be fully recovered and rejoin the team on the court. 

If they indeed struggle in the upcoming season, the silver lining is that they own their 2026 first round pick. Next year’s draft class is projected to be one of the deepest in a long time and Boston’s timing could not have been any better. Whether they keep their draft pick or trade it away for a future asset, they will come away a better team in the long run.

With Tatum still only 27 and Brown only one year older at 28, these Celtics truly have the luxury of being patient and letting this situation play out. Given modern medical breakthroughs, it is more likely than not that Tatum can rediscover his form once fully recovered. The relatively young ages of these two superstars brings flexibility for Boston if they do decide to keep whomever they draft next year.

This season may be a tough one for Celtics fans to watch, especially when considering that they just recently won the 2024 NBA title, but this short-term pain is more likely than not to make them better. By trimming payroll, getting a high draft pick, and allowing Tatum to rehabilitate, the Celtics are set for at least the rest of this decade. Patience may sting at the moment, yet it’s the surest path back to contention—and Stevens looks like he is more than willing to wait.