Former Celtics Star Isaiah Thomas Makes a Bold 2025 Jayson Tatum Prediction originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
You don’t have to look far to find someone who thinks Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum lack of playing time at the 2024 Paris Olympics will motivate you heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.
One of his former teammates is willing to go a step further.
Former Celtics star Isaiah Thomas predicted at X during the gold medal game on Saturday that Tatum, who played 11 minutes in Team USA’s 98-87 victory over Francewill win the NBA MVP during the next campaign.
Tatum will be MVP next season!! Watch
– Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) August 10, 2024
Tatum did not play in the group stage and semi-finals against Serbia at the Olympics. He also almost didn’t play in Saturday’s final.
It was unusual and a little strange for a player who just won an NBA title and was selected first-team All-NBA three years in a row to have so little playing time in the Olympics. It got to the point where several former and current NBA players, like Thomas, felt they had to step in and defend Tatum.
Overall, this Olympic experience should end up motivating Tatum, which is great news for the Celtics as they look to defend their championship next season.
After winning a title, you’d think Tatum would finally get the respect he deserves from MVP voters. He has finished in the top 6 in voting each of the last three years, but has never ranked higher than fourth despite putting up tremendous stats on both ends of the court and leading the Celtics to strong win-loss records.
The Celtics were already expected to be title favorites in 2024-25, and now their two best players – Tatum and Jaylen Brown – have all the motivation and fuel they could need.
