‘I didn’t see that coming’: Jayson Tatum, Moe Wagner discuss trade deadline moves
The Celtics acquired three players but sent out three players on Thursday.
Thursday was a busy day for the Celtics.
The team acquired three new players in Evan Fournier, Moritz Wagner, and Luke Kornet. However, they had to say goodbye to three players, too. Daniel Theis and Javonte Green were shipped to the Bulls while Jeff Teague was sent to the Magic.
While the moves may have excited some Celtics fans, having to say goodbye to teammates wasn’t exciting for the players.
Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum was one of the players that appeared to be particularly affected. Green was one of his closest friends on the squad.
“I didn’t see that coming,” Tatum said of Green’s trade. “He was someone I was super, super close with. I loved having him around. That was tough, for all of us. Especially for myself, too. [Green] was someone I was real close with as a friend. Obviously, he helped us in the locker room, in the time he did get opportunities. I guess this is just part of it.”
Center Robert Williams was one of the beneficiaries of Thursday’s moves. With Theis leaving, Williams was able to start at center for the Celtics on Friday. He put up a solid performance, scoring seven points, grabbing nine boards, blocking five shots, grabbing two steals, and dished out a career-high seven assists in the win.
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Still, Williams reflected on what Theis meant to him following Friday’s win. He called Theis his “big brother,” saying he was first person to pick him up whenever he got down about how he was playing.
Wagner made his Celtics debut just a little more than 24 hours after being traded. His trade to the Celtics was actually the second time he was traded…on Thursday.
“It was nuts,” Wagner said of his busy Thursday. “I mean, honestly getting traded here, it’s not my first time so I’m not sad about it, I know how it works. So, I know what to expect on the trade deadline but you never know, you know. I was actually on a little pregame walk when I got the call that I’m traded to Chicago, and then a couple minutes before the deadline I get the call that I’m going to Boston. So, it’s crazy, but I’m very happy to be here.”
While dressed, Wagner wasn’t expected to play at first on Friday. However, with the Celtics getting a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter, Wagner entered the game and ended up playing 10 minutes. He made his first a shot, a 3-pointer, which were his only points of the night. The big man also hauled in five rebounds.
Wagner realizes he still has “a lot to learn.”
Mo Wagner discusses what’s most important to learn when you join a new team abruptly. He’s been on the Celtics for barely over 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/sITgnWq8py
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 27, 2021
“I watched a lot of tape the last 24 hours, but I can feel how I’m still a little overwhelmed here and there, but I keep telling myself it’s just basketball, to keep on playing through mistakes,” Wagner said.
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