BREAKING: Jayson Tatum May Return Late 2025-26 Season as Scouts Praise His Movement at Chris Paul’s Elite Camp

The Boston Celtics may soon have a reason to rejoice amid uncertainty surrounding the status of their franchise cornerstone. According to NBA insider Steve Bulpett of Heavy, the possibility of Jayson Tatum rejoining the Celtics during the latter part of the 2025-26 regular season has not been ruled out. While there has been no official timeline given by Boston’s medical staff, encouraging signs from those close to the situation — particularly scouts who observed Tatum at Chris Paul’s summer camp — are giving hope to fans and the organization alike.

Tatum, who suffered a serious Achilles injury during the 2025 NBA Playoffs, has been out of competitive action since the incident. The injury sparked concern across the league, not only because of the severity of Achilles tears but also due to Tatum’s role as the heart and soul of a Celtics team built to contend for championships. Any potential return this season was initially considered unlikely, if not impossible. But recent developments have injected fresh optimism into the conversation.

One scout who attended Chris Paul’s invitation-only elite offseason camp shared his observations with Heavy, and the feedback was startlingly positive. “I’m no doctor, but I’ve seen guys coming back from Achilles’ tears, and he looked way ahead,” the scout said. “I was kind of shocked to see how well he was moving. I have no idea for what any of this means for when he can come back. I’m sure him and the Celtics’ medical people have their program set up, and they’ll make sure that he’s where he needs to be when he does get back. But he looks great right now.”

That assessment was not made lightly. Chris Paul’s camp is known throughout the league as one of the most intense, high-IQ training environments in the offseason, attracting elite players who are deeply committed to improving their game. Tatum didn’t participate in any high-impact drills or competitive running, but his physical condition and comfort level during on-court activities reportedly stood out to multiple evaluators.

Though he remained limited to non-contact work, the very fact that Tatum could participate without any visible discomfort is a massive development. Achilles injuries have derailed or permanently altered the careers of many NBA stars — think Kobe Bryant, DeMarcus Cousins, and Kevin Durant (although Durant’s recovery has been one of the most successful in recent memory). The recovery process is often long and grueling, both physically and mentally, and it demands careful management. For Tatum to be this far along just months after the injury is both surprising and encouraging.

Boston’s front office and coaching staff have stayed relatively quiet about Tatum’s progress, which isn’t unusual. The Celtics are known for their discretion regarding player injuries, preferring to avoid speculation or false hope. That said, internal optimism appears to be growing. Privately, some team executives believe that if Tatum continues trending upward without setbacks, he could be cleared for limited minutes just in time for the final stretch of the regular season — or even a tune-up for the playoffs.

Of course, any return would depend on numerous factors, including the team’s standing in the Eastern Conference, the depth of the roster, and whether there’s a legitimate reason to risk accelerating his comeback. The Celtics would likely proceed with caution, even if Tatum insists he feels ready. The 27-year-old forward is the team’s centerpiece and long-term future; rushing him back would be an unnecessary gamble unless the medical evaluations are overwhelmingly positive.

Still, those who know Tatum best say he’s motivated like never before. The injury came at the peak of his career. He was coming off an All-NBA First Team season, his third in a row, and was widely regarded as one of the league’s top five players. His leadership and scoring had carried Boston through multiple playoff rounds, and there was a sense that 2025 might finally be the year the Celtics broke through for their long-awaited 18th championship. The injury not only ended Tatum’s postseason but likely changed the trajectory of Boston’s title hopes — at least temporarily.

In his absence, the Celtics have remained competitive, leaning heavily on Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and the depth provided by players like Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, and Payton Pritchard. But anyone who follows Boston closely knows that their true ceiling rises and falls with Tatum on the court. His ability to score at all three levels, defend multiple positions, and elevate the play of those around him simply cannot be replicated.

Beyond the tactical advantage of having Tatum back, his return would also be a major emotional lift for the locker room. Teammates speak of his work ethic and presence as galvanizing forces. A comeback in time for the playoffs — or just before — could mirror the kind of inspirational returns that have defined previous Celtics legends. Think Paul Pierce coming back from injury in the 2008 Finals or Kevin Garnett returning in 2010. The mere idea of Tatum donning the green and white again in April has already begun to stir excitement among fans and players alike.

The Celtics have also reportedly tailored their 2025-26 roster to give themselves flexibility around a potential Tatum return. Contracts were structured to keep options open, and the team deliberately retained young players who could eat minutes early in the season while Tatum continues rehab. Should he return at full strength, Boston would immediately become one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs — a contender with championship pedigree and a fully healthy superstar rejoining at just the right moment.

Still, this scenario is far from guaranteed. Achilles recoveries can be unpredictable. Minor setbacks can occur without warning. Progress in August doesn’t always translate to readiness by March or April. The Celtics’ medical team will monitor Tatum’s biomechanics, strength symmetry, and overall functionality before even considering clearance. They’ll also consult with outside specialists to ensure every box is checked. No one — not Tatum, not the organization — wants to compromise his long-term career for short-term glory.

That said, signs are undeniably positive right now. For Tatum to be participating in any basketball-related activity just a few months removed from a torn Achilles is a testament to both his dedication and the quality of the rehab process he’s undergone. Observers familiar with elite athlete recovery believe Tatum’s case could resemble Kevin Durant’s in some ways — a meticulous return over time, resulting in an eventual return to elite form.

Durant missed the entire 2019-20 season after tearing his Achilles during the 2019 NBA Finals. When he returned with the Brooklyn Nets in 2020-21, he looked every bit the superstar he had always been, silencing doubts about his explosiveness, agility, and shot-making. If Tatum follows a similar arc, Boston could be in a similar position next spring: cautiously welcoming back a game-changing force at the most crucial time of the year.

For now, the Celtics’ coaching staff is preparing to start the season without Tatum, leaning into player development and defensive continuity to keep the team in contention. But beneath the surface, there is growing belief that the superstar forward may walk back through that tunnel before season’s end — to the roar of TD Garden, wearing No. 0, and ready to make another run at basketball immortality.

If that day comes, it won’t just be a medical triumph. It’ll be a moment that could redefine the arc of the 2025-26 season — and perhaps the next chapter of Boston Celtics history.