Autograph Exclusive: Jayson Tatum's Legacy

This article was written exclusively for the Autograph app by Cam Tabatabaie. Cam is a credentialed reporter with a decade of experience covering the NBA and the Boston Celtics. You can find his work at The Celtics Wire & USA Today SMG. He also hosts the Celtics Lab Podcast.

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are quickly closing in on an NBA title. This would mark an 18th championship for the franchise and first for Boston since 2008. For Tatum, raising a banner would massively influence his standing in the league, and help him climb the ladder in Celtics history. 

Championship rings are the ultimate currency in the NBA, and a conversation about a player’s legacy or resume really only begins once they have won a title. Tatum is just 26 years old, and only entering his prime. Winning the 2024 finals may not be the end of his story in that regard.

In Boston, titles are even more important given how many greats have laced up on the parquet floor. Tatum may be rubbing elbows with players like John Havlicek or Larry Bird in a few statistical categories, but he’s got a long way to go before he’s considered one of the all-time great Celtics. Winning this series would help him on that journey.

So let’s jump in and look a little bit further at what winning the 2024 NBA Finals would mean for Jayson Tatum and his legacy.

Around the NBA

Tatum is a five-time All-Star and was named to a third consecutive All-NBA First Team in 2024. And although he hasn’t won an MVP, he’s been in the mix for half a decade now. He’s probably not the best player in the league, but among his peers, he’s right there.

Winning a title changes everything. For years the narrative around Tatum and his co-pilot Jaylen Brown have been clouded by doubt. Can they play together? Can they get it done? Can they get out of their own way?

Securing the Larry OB puts all of that noise to bed. In an instant, Tatum’s legacy goes from the hypothetical to the very real. Let’s also keep in mind that he’s likely going to sign a record contract extension this summer, win Olympic gold, and enter the 2024-25 season as a favorite to win MVP. And Boston’s status as a contender isn’t changing any time soon.

LeBron James won his first title at age 27. So did Steph Curry. Michael Jordan was 28 when he won his first. For Tatum to win a title now, at age 26, is a big deal. The 2024 NBA Finals aren’t the end of his legacy, but the beginning.

As a Celtic

How Tatum measures up in Boston is a different story. Winning a single championship isn’t enough to become a franchise great, and 20 different players have won multiple titles in Celtic green. Many won more than that, headlined by Bill Russell’s 11 rings.

In recent history, Tatum has less competition. The 2008 title team is the stuff of legend around the Hub, but Tatum is beginning to close in on Paul Pierce statistically and emotionally with the fan base. A lot could happen in his career, but he’s on the right track to be the best Celtic this century.

Getting on the same level as guys like Larry Bird and Kevin McHale or John Havicek or Tommy Heinsohn is a different story entirely. Tatum is a generational great, and will only add to his story in the coming years. But folks in Boston have long memories and a good sense of history. Tatum has a long way to go before he can be compared to the best to ever do it.

Final thoughts

Winning a title changes everything for Tatum. The way fans and media discuss his standing in the league will shift, and the way his impact on the league shifts as well. He’s already one of the most visible stars in the league thanks to his portfolio of sponsorships. He will soon have the hardware to back that stardom up.

And Tatum’s not done. In the next few years he could cement his status as one of the very best players in this era, and could flirt with being the undisputed top dog. For Celtics history, though, he has a long way to go and plenty of time to get there.