According to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe, Jayson Tatum is playing a significant role in recruiting Lillard to the TD Garden. Tatum is also out due to an Achilles tear, but it would appear that he's already planning for his return to the rotation, either toward the end of the 25-26 season or at the start of the 26-27 campaign.

Tatum is looking to convince Damian Lillard to join the Celtics after he was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, according to the Boston Globe. Both players tore their Achilles during the NBA playoffs and will miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season.