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25-under-25: The best of the rest

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
WALTHAM, MA- JUNE 23: Jayson Tatum #11 of the Boston Celtics holds up his jersey as he poses for a picture during a introductory press conference on June 23 in Waltham, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) /

34. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics hoarded their picks. They collected assets, made shrewd moves and bided their time. They were hoping to get their star or to build their next dynasty through the draft. Red Auerbach would be proud of the work Danny Ainge did to accumulate his assets and getting the Celtics back on top. They won while they were doing all this too.

This summer was the summer Ainge finally struck, trading the No. 1 overall pick to the Sixers for a future first rounder and moving back to No. 3.

That should be no pressure to their newest rookie, Jayson Tatum.

The Duke Blue Devils forward taken third in the 2017 NBA Draft had an impressive scoring run in college. Tatum drew comparisons to several isolation-based forwards like Carmelo Anthony. That is maybe something not as valued in the NBA these days, but it can still be an incredibly good skill to have.

Tatum showed just what that scoring ability can do during his Summer League run. He averaged 17.7 points per game in Las Vegas and 18.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in Salt Lake City. If he can continue to develop his 3-point shot, he could become a very dangerous player.

He showed all the signs of doing that. And he will grow up on a team in contention. The Celtics are going to have real things to compete and play for. If he can shine on that big stage from the outset, Tatum will certainly shine among these players.

But unlike many of the young players just entering the league at the top of this star-studded Draft, the Celtics will not completely turn Tatum loose. With Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and even Jaylen Brown on the roster, Jayson Tatum will have to find a way to fit his role. That may make him a super sixth man in his early career.

At some point, Tatum’s prodigious talent will emerge. It may take a bit longer than others, but he will find his way. He is too good of a pure scorer not to develop.

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