Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, responding to Kevin Durant trade speculation, says 'I love our team...
NEW YORK -- As speculation surrounding Kevin Durant's future continues to hover over the NBA, Boston Celtics star swingman Jayson Tatum made it clear that as much as he respects Durant's game, he is happy with how his team stands now.
"I played with [Durant] during the Olympics," Tatum said Tuesday night prior to the premiere of the Showtime documentary "Point Gods." "Obviously, he's a great player, but that's not my decision. I love our team. I love the guys that we got."
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported early Mondaythat the Celtics were among the teams to engage in talks with the Nets regarding Durant's availability, after the two-time Finals MVP requested a trade from Brooklyn last month.
Regarding the discussions surrounding Durant and the Celtics, Tatum said he doesn't "make anything of it" and emphasized several times during a brief question-and-answer session with a small group of reporters that he is satisfied with Boston's roster as currently constructed.
"We got two new pieces [in Malcolm Brogdon andDanilo Gallinari]," Tatum said. "I love our team. I just go out there and play with my teammates. I don't put that [general manager] hat on to make decisions."
Durant, who is an executive producer on the documentary, did not stop to speak to reporters. He took a few photos on the carpet prior to the premiere, but quickly walked into the theater. Durant's manager and business partner, Rich Kleiman, also an executive producer on the documentary, declined to discuss the star's request to be traded.
