Jayson Tatum isn’t trying to pretend last spring never happened. The Celtics star has fully recovered from the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 playoff run and sidelined him for most of the 2025-26 season, but his latest shoe release makes it clear he’s carrying the memory with him.
This week, Tatum unveiled a new pair of his personal shoes, and the design includes five lines on the heel of each shoe. Those lines are meant to represent the scar from his Achilles repair surgery, a small detail with a bigger message behind it.
Tatum said the injury changed him, even as he works his way into his first full season since 2024-25. “Anytime you go through something traumatic, you’re not the same you…That’s not saying you’re worse, you’re just different,” Tatum said (via Daniel Donabedian).
The injury forced him through one of the longest recovery paths an athlete can face, but it also gives him a built-in reminder of how far he’s come as he heads into the new season healthy and ready to play from October until what he hopes is late into the Spring.
The Celtics spent a season without their star forward, but they enter the upcoming year with high expectations now that he’s back. Tatum’s last fully healthy season was also one of his best, when he posted 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 2024-25.
With Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia now, Tatum is set to be Boston’s clear top option. That could bring more pressure, but it also gives him the chance to embrace the role and lead the Celtics back to the promised land.
In Other News...
Jayson Tatums New Jordan Release Says Everything About His Celtics Status
Jayson Tatums latest signature shoe is being introduced with a clear basketball-first message, built around control and responsiveness rather than flash for flashs sake. The Jordan Tatum 5 includes a dynamic utility strap, a 10mm forefoot Air Zoom unit and a herringbone traction pattern, while its design nods to Bostons skyline and Tatums No. 0, tying the release directly to the Celtics stars place in the city.
The rollout begins in China on Sept. 24 before a global launch, with several colorways and pricing tiers already set. For Boston fans, the shoe is another reminder of how firmly Tatum sits at the center of the franchise's present and future, with even his signature line reflecting the identity he has built in green. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Suddenly Have A Cheap Flier Worth Watching Closely
The Celtics are always watching the margins of the roster, and Walter Clayton Jr. has become one of the more interesting names to surface as Memphis works to get down to the NBA limit. The Grizzlies have to waive four players, and that kind of squeeze can turn a lesser-known prospect into a possible bargain for a team looking to add a cheap flier with some upside. Claytons path and past production have made him a player worth monitoring, especially for a Boston front office that is never shy about looking for value where other teams are forced to make cuts.
Still, the fit is not automatic, and there are reasons to be cautious before penciling in any move. Claytons career trajectory suggests there is something to work with, but the Celtics would need to weigh whether he is simply a speculative add or someone who can actually carve out a role in their environment. For now, the intrigue comes from the situation in Memphis as much as from Clayton himself, with Boston positioned to see whether roster pressure elsewhere creates an opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Could Face A Tough Trust Call On Former Lakers Guard
DAngelo Russell is suddenly back in the mix as a possible name to watch for Boston, at least if Memphis decides its roster logjam makes him expendable before the season starts. The Celtics would have to weigh the appeal of a guard with real shot-making skill against the reality that his career has often been defined by flashes rather than steady, dependable production, which is why any possible fit would likely be viewed through the same lens as other scoring guards on the market.
For Boston, the conversation is less about a sure thing than about another potential backcourt option if the right opening appears. Russells game draws some comparison to Anfernee Simons in the sense that he can create offense and handle pressure on the ball, but the bigger question is whether he would be a priority or simply a fallback if the Celtics decide they need one more veteran guard for the season ahead. [Read more 🡒]