Chris Mannix joins Chris Forsberg on the Celtics Talk Podcast to discuss the chances Jayson Tatum makes an All-NBA Team this season.
Jayson Tatum has played like a man possessed of late -- or a man motivated by a potential $32 million pay raise.
As our Chris Forsberg recently explained, the value of Tatum's five-year maximum contract (which begins next season) would increase substantially if the Boston Celtics star makes his second consecutive All-NBA Team this season.
Tatum is making a very strong case for All-NBA consideration, averaging nearly 30 points per game since the beginning of April and averaging career highs in points (26.4), rebounds . But the All-NBA list is hard to crack, as voters essentially have to view Tatum as one of the top six forwards in basketball (two forward slots each for the First, Second and Third teams).
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SIGN UP HERE So, does Tatum have a realistic shot at earning an All-NBA nod? Forsberg checked in with Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix -- who will cast an All-NBA ballot this season -- for his take on a new Celtics Talk Podcast.
Celtics Talk Podcast: The $32 million question: Does Jayson Tatum make an All-NBA team? | Listen & subscribe | Watch on YouTube
"How I view Tatum right now is as a candidate for the third team," Mannix said. "Six forward slots. The two guys (on the Los Angeles Clippers), Kawhi (Leonard) and Paul George, I think will be on one of those teams. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) will be on that team. I think Julius Randle is on that team.
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"Then you go to the third team. Zion (Williamson) probably deserves a slot on that third team. And then that second slot: That's it. That's got to be Tatum's sweet spot. That's where he's got to get some of the votes."
You'll notice Mannix's list doesn't include All-NBA staples like LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Both superstars have missed significant time this season and might be left off ballots as a result, which could open the door for Tatum on the third team.
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Tatum certainly isn't a shoo-in, though. Mannix noted the 23-year-old also missed five games earlier this season due to COVID and struggled upon his return, while Boston's inconsistent play this season might hurt his case, as well.
But it sounds like Tatum is very much in the All-NBA conversation with six games remaining.
"I wouldn't say I'm leaning one way or the other, but on my ballot, Tatum is a candidate for one of those two third-team slots," Mannix added.
Check out the latest episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast on your favorite podcast app or watch it on YouTube below.