Celtics’ Jayson Tatum reacts to big moves made by Sixers, Knicks

The 2024 offseason has been dominated by the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks as both teams have loaded up to try and take down the Boston Celtics in the East. The Celtics are the defending champs and everybody in the league has their eyes on Boston.

The Sixers went out and brought in Paul George in free agency to form a strong trio with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. They also brought in proven veterans such as Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Caleb Martin to help push the Sixers over the top in the East.

The Knicks, who eliminated the Sixers in Round 1 in the postseason, also added Mikal Bridges in a trade. New York boasts a strong cast of players led by star guard Jalen Brunson alongside Bridges, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum hopped on  Wave Sports + Entertainment’s “7PM in Brooklyn” and had this to say about the moves Philadelphia and New York made:

I mean, it’s twofold. Like, I see all the changes in people switching teams and obviously teams is getting better, and that’s every offseason, and you got to have like an appropriate fear or respect for your opponent, right? You don’t never want to disrespect who you playing, but with that being said, it’s like we won. Like, when you win a championship, you get to talk how you want to talk. They gotta go through us.

Tatum is correct. The Sixers, as well as the Knicks, have to go through the Celtics. However, Philadelphia has put itself in a top position to contend with and challenge the Celtics in the East.