Jayson Tatum still has 'a ways to go' to return as Brad Stevens says Celtics' star didn't have impact on deadline

"When the Celtics traded Anfernee Simons to the Bulls for Nikola Vucevic ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, some hypothesized that it could mean the team anticipates Jayson Tatum returning soon. But Brad Stevens insists that isn't the case. The Celtics' president of basketball operations told reporters that Tatum's potential return from his Achilles tear had "very little impact" on their decision to trade for Vucevic. Stevens added that Tatum's return isn't imminent."

""He's hit a lot of the thresholds," Stevens said on Friday. "He's doing more and more and will continue to do more and more. He's still got a ways to go." Speculation about Tatum's return has heated up in recent weeks following his hour-long workout in front of reporters in Detroit just over two weeks ago. One report last week said that Tatum is reconsidering whether to return to this season."

The Celtics acquired Nikola Vucevic and maintain that Jayson Tatum's potential return from an Achilles tear had very little impact on that decision. Brad Stevens said Tatum has met many recovery thresholds and is progressively doing more activity, but he still has a ways to go and a return is not imminent. Reports describe Tatum reaching a mental phase of recovery, performing an hour-long workout and being near physical readiness, but uncertainty remains about playing this season. The organization insists on full medical clearance and wants Tatum 110 percent healthy with peace of mind before returning.

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