Jayson Tatum didn’t set out to take a jab at the Memphis Grizzlies-but when you’re one of the NBA’s brightest stars, even a casual comment can turn some heads.
Speaking on The Pivot podcast, the Boston Celtics forward reflected on his career to date and, in doing so, dropped a line that’s already making the rounds. “The career I have right now, if I had it with the Grizzlies, I would have a statue outside the arena right now,” Tatum said with a grin. It wasn’t so much a dig at Memphis as it was a confident nod to what he’s accomplished-and, frankly, he’s not wrong.
Let’s break it down.
At just 27 years old, Tatum’s resume is already stacked. The 2024-25 season saw him average 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists across 72 games-numbers that speak to his growth not just as a scorer, but as a complete player.
That campaign earned him his sixth All-Star selection and a fourth straight All-NBA First Team nod. He was the engine of a Celtics team that finished second in the Eastern Conference and battled past the Orlando Magic in the first round before falling to the New York Knicks in the conference semis.
That series ended with more than just a playoff exit-Tatum tore his Achilles, cutting short what had been another stellar postseason run.
But even with that setback, Tatum’s body of work is hard to ignore.
Since being drafted third overall in 2017, the Duke product has steadily climbed the NBA hierarchy. He led Boston to the 2024 NBA championship, a title that cemented his place among the league’s elite. He took home All-Star Game MVP honors in 2023 and added not one, but two Olympic gold medals to his trophy case-first in 2020, then again in 2024.
And the Celtics know exactly what they’ve got. In 2024, they locked him in with a five-year, $314 million extension-one of the richest deals in league history. That’s the kind of investment you make in a franchise cornerstone, a player who not only delivers on the court but embraces the weight of playing in a city like Boston, where expectations are sky-high and history looms large.
Tatum’s comment about Memphis wasn’t about disrespect-it was about context. The Grizzlies, while a solid franchise with a passionate fan base, don’t have the same championship pedigree or media spotlight as the Celtics. If Tatum had put up these same numbers and accolades in Memphis, it’s fair to say he’d be the most decorated player in franchise history-and yes, maybe even statue-worthy.
As for his current status, Tatum is still in rehab mode, working his way back from that Achilles injury. Recent workouts have shown positive signs, though there’s no official timetable for his return. The Celtics are being cautious, and rightfully so-this is their franchise player, and they’ll need him fully healthy if they want to make another deep postseason run.
One thing’s clear: Jayson Tatum’s legacy is already building in Boston. And if he keeps this up, statue talk might not be limited to Memphis.