Jayson Tatum's Father Criticizes Celtics Roster, Picks Knicks for 2027 Title

Justin Tatum, father of Celtics star Jayson Tatum, expressed doubts about the strength of Boston's 2026-27 roster and predicted the New York Knicks would win the NBA championship in 2027 during an appearance on the "Ultimate Dads Unplugged" podcast.

With the Celtics having traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, the roster changes have raised questions about the team's championship potential. Boston acquired Paul George in the trade and added depth with signings like Mike Conley Jr. and Mitchell Robinson, but concerns remain about the impact of losing Brown.

Justin Tatum said, "Realistically, I might say New York might run it back… Right now, the [Celtics] roster's [expletive]." This blunt assessment sparked a strong reaction from LaVar Ball, who hosts the podcast alongside Dwyane Wade Sr. and Quenton Brown Sr.

LaVar Ball responded, "I'll slap the [expletive] out of you. If you don't say the team your son is on, you gotta be crazy." The contrast in opinions was highlighted by Marselles Brown, Jaylen Brown's father, who predicted the 76ers would win the title.

Despite the criticism, Boston is still expected to be competitive in the Eastern Conference. ESPN projects the Celtics to win 48 games in the upcoming season, placing them in the contenders tier along with the Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers.

Justin Tatum also elaborated on his criticism during the podcast. When challenged, he said, "Right now, roster, [expletive] —," though his statement was interrupted and later misquoted by some media outlets, which exaggerated his comments about the Celtics' roster.

The Celtics enter the season with Jayson Tatum returning from an Achilles injury sustained during the 2025 playoffs. In 16 regular-season games last season, Tatum averaged 21.8 points and 10 rebounds per game, and there is anticipation about whether he can return to his previous 30+ points per game form after a full offseason of recovery.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla plans to focus the offense around three-point shooting and creative pick-and-roll plays, especially with new addition Mitchell Robinson. The team aims to unlock its potential despite the departure of Brown and the challenges in the Eastern Conference, which includes strong teams like the 76ers, Miami Heat, Pistons, Cavaliers, Wizards, Hawks, and reigning champion Knicks.