Celtics Pursue Lillard, Beal Amid Tatum Injury Challenges

The Boston Celtics face a challenging offseason as they cope with Jayson Tatum's torn Achilles, expected to sideline him for most or all of the next season. To fill the void, Damian Lillard has emerged as a highly viable target for Boston, with insiders citing the team's strong appeal and the need to maintain their core alongside Jaylen Brown. Additionally, Bradley Beal is considered a potential acquisition, though his buyout from the Phoenix Suns is still pending, and several teams are interested in him. Despite roster changes and salary cap challenges under the new collective bargaining agreement, Celtics president Brad Stevens reaffirmed the franchise's commitment to competing for championships and highlighted recent trades acquiring Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang. The Celtics remain optimistic about their chances, believing players like Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard can step up, especially given a potentially weaker Eastern Conference. If Tatum returns late in the season while new additions contribute, Boston could still make a strong playoff run.