It’s been an inconsistent start to the season for the Boston Celtics. They’ve lost seven of their opening 15 games and have struggled in key areas. All of this was to be expected after Brad Stevens sanctioned multiple cost-cutting moves during the summer, replacing key veterans with young and unproven talents. However, those inconsistencies have led to some questions regarding Jayson Tatum’s recovery from an Achilles tendon injury.

Tatum has made no secret of his desire to get back on the court as quickly as possible. Yet, if Boston continues to hover around .500, and projects to be a play-in team, there may not be any value in getting him back on the court. In fact, the Celtics may be better served by keeping him on the bench, with a view to integrating him into the rotation ahead of the 2026-27 season.

NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg recently made an appearance on 98.5 The Sport Hub’s “Toucher and Hardy” to debate the viability of potentially sitting Tatum and whether that approach is one worth exploring, assuming the Celtics are still near the bottom of the Eastern Conference when he’s medically cleared to return.

You can watch the full debate by clicking on the embedded video above.

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