Just days after Bradley Beal’s blockbuster move to join forces with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix, a clip of Jayson Tatum’s 2017 appearance on Showtime’s “All The Smoke” podcast, where he talks about his desire to sign for the Phoenix Suns, has resurfaced. The video excerpt currently circulating on social media takes on some added significance in the wake of the Suns’ major moves this summer.
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People are now speculating what could’ve happened if Jayson Tatum had been drafted by Phoenix in 2017. Imagine a lineup featuring Tatum, Durant, Devin Booker, and Beal—that’d be something of a spectacle, even though the Suns will probably drain all their resources putting such a star-studded roster together.
Jayson Tatum’s pre-draft visit to Phoenix stands as a pivotal moment in his NBA journey. The now 25-year-old was afforded the opportunity to engage with influential figures in the Phoenix Suns organization at the time. This included former coach Earl Watson and the team’s general manager.
Their interactions left an indelible mark on the young prospect. He was captivated by the allure of Phoenix and its potential as his future basketball home.
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Recalling his visit, Tatum couldn’t hide his excitement and eagerness to join the Suns. During his All the Smoke interview in 2017, Tatum revealed:
“I went to Phoenix just to meet with Earl Watson and talk to the GM and see the facility. I didn’t work out, I just wanted to go meet with everybody…[They] showed me around… And I’m like, “Damn, Phoenix is beautiful.’ I call my mom, I’m like, “I think I want to go to Phoenix.'”
Tatum’s admiration for the city increased after he saw the beautiful houses and the lavish neighborhoods where the players lived. His desire to become a part of the Suns organization further echoed in his words:
“I like it out here in Phoenix… I get a big house, I get a pool, my mom’s gonna be all right.”
These quotes underscore Tatum’s genuine excitement and the allure that Phoenix presented to him. The young star liked Watson’s proposition of ‘two light skin killas’ ruling Phoenix. However, his fate had other plans. Tatum would get a call to work out with the Celtics soon after.
But what would a Suns team with JT look like?
Balancing Superstar Scorers alongside Jayson Tatum
Imagining Jayson Tatum playing alongside scoring maestros like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal seems like a video game proposition. Collectively, these players possess an impressive arsenal of offensive firepower, capable of overwhelming opponents with their scoring prowess.
The prospect of such a high-scoring quartet might raise a few problems. The burden of so many star players’ contracts can prevent Phoenix from getting good role players needed in postseason scenarios. Additionally, none of the stars on the team is a traditional point guard, which might lead to poor facilitation in the long run.
The absence of a definitive leader and a good wing player may pose challenges as well.
Therefore, Tatum wouldn’t be too unhappy with the situation he is in currently. Having appeared in the NBA Finals last year, the JT-led Celtics are in no way behind the Suns’ ‘Superteam’.
