Reflecting on the bittersweet changes of a trade deadline, Boston’s Jayson Tatum welcomes his new teammates

The Celtics star also admitted he tried to stay out of the way of the front office on Thursday.

Like many of his fans, Boston Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum had mixed emotions about the passing of the 2022 NBA trade deadline and the cluster of moves the Celtics made in order to improve the team he plays for.

Reunions from Celtics squads past and Team USA compatriots helped ease the sting of losing the camaraderie of players he’s grown used to having alongside him on the court and on the sidelines, some who have been through some pretty wild rides in recent seasons. But growth is never without some discomfort if not pain and the Missourian shared his feelings with the media in a press conference called after shootaround on Friday morning.

“You hate to see teammates go,” explained Tatum. “Guys that you’ve gotten close with, and built a relationship with.”