Must C’s: Jayson Tatum talks about Javonte Green and the trade deadline

After a big win in Milwaukee, the Celtics didn’t miss the newly acquired Evan Fournier. The former Orlando swingman was back in Boston getting his physical and could join the team today in Oklahoma City. In his place, rookie Aaron Nesmith got a little extra run in the 122-114 blowout of the Bucks. However, after the game, Jayson Tatum spent much of his post-game presser not talking about his team-high 34 points, but of his good friend that was a casualty of the trade deadline:

“I didn’t see that coming. (Javonte) Woo (Green) is someone that I’m super super close with. I loved having him around. So, that was tough for all of us, especially myself,” Tatum said of Green who was traded to Orlando. “He’s someone I got really close with as a friend. Obviously, he helped us in our locker room and the time he did get an opportunity, but I guess it’s part of it.”

Sometimes, when we’re caught up talking about the basketball fit on the floor and how a player’s contract gets accounted for in the salary cap, it’s easy to forget the human element of this business. Not only was Green a beloved teammate, the story of his career illustrates the perseverance and hard work it takes to just get a chance in the NBA. Check out Bobby Manning’s profile from last year on Green’s journey from being a physical phenom in high school to stress facture in his back that threatened his athletic career to a professional career abroad to finally getting a chance with the Celtics.