The NBA might be looking at its next heartwarming family storyline, and this one comes straight out of Boston, Massachusetts. After LeBron and Bronny James made history last year as the league’s first-ever father-son duo to share the court, fans immediately started asking the fun question. Who could be next? Well, Jayson Tatum has an answer. And it’s a bold one.
According to Sports Illustrated, he and his son Deuce could be the next father-son pairing to run an NBA floor together. Yes, that Deuce. The kid who basically grew up on the TD Garden hardwood. The one Boston fans treat like a mini mascot. The eight-year-old who somehow already has better on-court charisma than half the league.
Tatum, now 27, knows the math has to line up perfectly. Deuce is only eight, which means we’re looking at roughly a decade before he’s even eligible to step into the league. So could Tatum really still be hooping at a high level in 10 years? He sure thinks so.
Jayson Tatum Makes a Bold Statement Regarding His Future in the League
“He turned eight, I’m 27. It’s like, d**n, can I play 10 more years? I can easily do that,” Tatum said on the Morris Code. “So if it works out, it would be cool.”
Fans in Boston need no reminder of how long they’ve been watching Deuce grow up right in front of them. We all remember the Duke days when Tatum would carry baby Deuce around after games. Then came the early Celtics years, where he stole every spotlight by simply existing on the sideline with a giant pair of headphones on. And now? He’s basically courtside royalty. So the idea of watching him and Tatum share an NBA court isn’t just adorable. It somehow feels like something we’ve been expecting.
The only thing that could complicate the dream? Tatum’s body. He suffered a ruptured Achilles during the 2025 NBA playoffs in May and could miss the entire 2025 26 season. That kind of injury has derailed many careers, but Tatum isn’t packing it in or shutting down the idea of a return at some point this year. Still, it’s a long recovery. Achilles injuries are no joke, especially for someone who plays above the rim as often as Tatum does.
But here’s the thing. The blueprint already exists. LeBron James is in his record-breaking 23rd NBA season at age 40, proving that longevity in today’s league is actually possible. Between better training, smarter rest strategies, nutrition innovations, and the fact that superstars can tailor their games as they age, it’s not insane to imagine Tatum hitting 37 and still pulling up for smooth midrange jumpers.
Massachusetts’ Star Jayson Tatum IS All About The Hooping
Plus, Jayson Tatum isn’t just talking about playing a decade more for fun. There’s truly sentimental weight to it. Imagine sharing the NBA floor with your own kid. Imagine calling your son your teammate. Imagine the highlight reels. It’s easy to see why this idea lights him up.
And let’s be honest. Deuce seems destined for something in this league. Even at eight, he has the posture of a future pro. He’s been absorbing NBA life since before kindergarten. The kid practically grew up in locker rooms. Regardless of whether his career actually lands in the NBA, he’ll certainly have the best behind-the-scenes training of any elementary schooler in America.
For now, the world will watch Tatum’s recovery closely. A ruptured Achilles is tough, but with his determination, age, and modern sports medicine on his side, not impossible. And if he can get back to full strength and maintain his health, why shouldn’t we believe he has 10 more years left?
The LeBron Bronny moment was emotional, surreal, and honestly historic. Tatum and Deuce recreating that someday? That would be a full circle basketball moment. One the league would eat up. One fans would lose their mind over. And one that feels surprisingly realistic. If Tatum and Deuce, Celtics teammates, ever become a real sentence, don’t say he didn’t warn us.
