What happened: Jayson Tatum said the extended 2026 offseason gives him time to get back to full strength, per Basketball Network. The comment comes as Boston enters the 2026-27 season for the first time without Jaylen Brown, who was traded away this summer.

Why it matters: Tatum's health status matters directly to Boston's outlook heading into a roster reshaped by the Brown trade. He is now the Celtics' clear on-court centerpiece as the franchise retools around him for the 2026-27 season.

What to watch: Watch for updates on Tatum's conditioning as the Celtics move toward training camp for the 2026-27 season.