Jayson Tatum Trade Rumors: Celtics Star's 'Stock Took a Hit This Season'

Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum reportedly could be involved in trade talks during the 2019 NBA offseason.

On Thursday, Ben Standig of NBC Sports reported in an article discussing trade options for Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal that Tatum's availability had been a discussion topic around the league.

"Tatum's stock took a hit this season," said an Eastern Conference scout, who also suggested a swap for Beal that could include one of Boston's first-round picks in the 2019 draft.

The 21-year-old Duke product, who the C's selected with the third overall pick in the 2017 draft, appeared on the fast track toward stardom during last year's playoffs. He averaged 18.5 points while shooting 47.1 percent from the field to help lead Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returned from injury to open the 2018-19 season, however, and the Celtics struggled throughout the campaign with an overcrowded rotation.

Tatum didn't play poorly. He averaged 15.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 45.0 percent from the field, including 37.3 percent from three-point range, across 79 appearances.

Jayson Tatum Highlight Reel

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That said, it wasn't quite the massive breakout season expected from the St. Louis native based on his play in last year's postseason, and that's apparently impacted his trade stock heading into an offseason of uncertainty for the Celtics.

In April, Tatum told Sopan Deb of the New York Times he didn't pay attention to the trade speculation that's followed him around since before February's deadline.

"Trade rumors don't bother me," he said. "They're talking about trading me for guys like Anthony Davis. So, I mean, I must be doing something pretty well."

The Celtics' level of interest in Beal is unclear, and Davis is surely higher on their wish list should the New Orleans Pelicans make him available over the summer.

All told, Boston's roster could look a lot different when next season arrives. Tatum figures to become one of the most commonly discussed names in the months ahead, even if his stock isn't quite as high as it was at this time one year ago.