Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics’ cornerstone and one of the NBA’s brightest stars, recently sat down on ESPN’s First Take to reflect on his journey from a draft-night disappointment to a dominant force in the league. Nursing a torn Achilles sustained during the NBA Playoffs, Tatum opened up about his rehabilitation, his upcoming signature shoe release, and the lingering sting of being overlooked in the 2017 NBA Draft. In a candid conversation with Stephen A. Smith, Tatum revisited the pivotal moment when two teams—most notably his childhood favorite, the Los Angeles Lakers—passed on him, a decision that still fuels his relentless drive for greatness.
As a lifelong Kobe Bryant devotee, Tatum grew up idolizing the Los Angeles Lakers. The purple and gold weren’t just a team to him; they were a symbol of his ultimate aspiration. So, when the 2017 NBA Draft rolled around and the Lakers held the No. 2 pick, Tatum allowed himself to dream. “Kobe was my favorite player, and the Lakers were my favorite team growing up,” he shared. “You get so close to accomplishing your dream, and you see the Lakers have the second pick. That hurt a little, feeling like there was no consideration they wanted to draft me.”
That moment of rejection stung deeply. After a standout freshman season at Duke, Tatum believed he was the best player in the draft. To be passed over not only by the Philadelphia 76ers, who traded up to select Markelle Fultz at No. 1, but also by the Lakers, who chose Lonzo Ball at No. 2, felt like a personal affront. “I wanted to be the number one pick, and I felt like I was the best player,” Tatum admitted. “So I was upset a little at first.” The pain of those slights lingered, but it also ignited a fire that would propel him to greatness.
The conversation on First Take also touched on the 76ers’ decision to bypass Tatum. Unlike his emotional connection to the Lakers, Tatum didn’t grow up dreaming of playing for Philadelphia. Still, their choice to trade up for Fultz—a move now regarded as one of the NBA’s all-time draft blunders—felt like another slap in the face. The 76ers’ decision has proven catastrophic in hindsight. Fultz struggled to find his footing, while Tatum blossomed into a superstar. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s core of Ben Simmons, who flamed out, and Joel Embiid, plagued by persistent injuries, has failed to deliver the championship success Tatum has chased with Boston.
Tatum’s response to the 76ers’ oversight has been nothing short of poetic justice. In three postseason matchups against Philadelphia, Tatum and the Celtics have eliminated them every time. “I defeated the 76ers to eliminate them all three times we played in the postseason,” he said with a knowing smile, a reminder that his memory is long and his competitive edge razor-sharp. Had Philadelphia stayed put at No. 3 or Boston not traded down, Tatum could have reshaped the 76ers’ trajectory. Instead, he became the franchise cornerstone Boston needed to solidify their contender status.
For Tatum, the connection to Kobe Bryant runs deeper than fandom. As one of the few players fortunate enough to receive direct mentorship from the Lakers legend, Tatum describes the experience as a dream come true. “Getting to learn from my idol was everything,” he said. Had the Lakers drafted him, Tatum might have stepped into the role of their next franchise star, a natural heir to Kobe’s legacy. But LeBron James’ arrival in Los Angeles in 2018 would have complicated that path, potentially altering Tatum’s trajectory.
Instead, fate led Tatum to Boston, where he has embraced the opportunity to carve out his own legacy with one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. “I feel grateful for how things turned out,” Tatum reflected. “If I couldn’t wear the purple and gold, suiting up for their rival and crafting my own legacy for a historic franchise was the next best thing.” The Celtics, with their rich history and passionate fanbase, provided the perfect stage for Tatum to shine. Since being drafted, he’s led Boston to multiple deep playoff runs, cementing his status as one of the game’s elite.
The snubs from the 2017 draft weren’t just slights—they were catalysts. The disappointment of being passed over by the Lakers and 76ers fueled Tatum’s hunger to prove himself. Every dunk, every clutch three, every playoff victory has been a statement: the teams that doubted him made a mistake. Now, as he rehabs his Achilles and prepares for his return, Tatum’s focus remains unwavering. His upcoming signature shoe release is another milestone in a career defined by defying expectations.
Tatum’s story is one of resilience and redemption. The agony of draft night, the sting of being overlooked by his childhood team, and the weight of proving himself have all shaped him into the superstar he is today. For Jayson Tatum, the path to greatness wasn’t handed to him—it was forged through rejection, determination, and an unrelenting desire to be the best. As he continues to rise, the Lakers and 76ers are left to wonder what might have been.