From Lillard’s perspective, joining the Celtics could give him a realistic shot at a title in 2027, depending on how Tatum recovers and how Stevens and Co. piece together the rest of the roster. The 13-year veteran’s deepest playoff run was a trip to the Western Conference finals with Portland in 2019.

Jayson Tatum might not take the court for the Celtics in the 2025-26 season, but he could help them land Damian Lillard.