Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Predicts 2025 NBA Finals Rematch

Just months after leading the Boston Celtics to victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum is already setting his sights on the future. In a five-game series, the Celtics claimed their first championship since 2008, securing an unprecedented 18th title and surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers for the most championships in NBA history. Now, Tatum and his teammates are focused on repeating this success, a feat no team has accomplished since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. According to Tatum, he fully expects the Celtics to return to the NBA Finals next season and predicts another showdown with the Mavericks in 2025.

Analyzing Tatum’s Prediction: Celtics vs. Mavericks

A rematch between the Celtics and Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Finals is certainly within reach. Both teams faced off in last June’s Finals and appear well-positioned to make another run next year. The Celtics are retaining nearly their entire championship roster for the upcoming 2024-25 season, with Svi Mykhailiuk (now with the Utah Jazz) and Oshae Brissett (currently unsigned) as the only notable departures. Assistant coach Charles Lee has also left to become the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. However, the Celtics have re-signed key players like Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta while extending contracts for Derrick White and Tatum. As they gear up for the new season, the Celtics remain the team to beat.

On the other hand, the Mavericks have taken a different approach this offseason. They acquired four-time champion Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors and brought back Spencer Dinwiddie. They also traded for wing Quentin Grimes and signed Naji Marshall. However, the Mavericks lost Derrick Jones Jr. to the Los Angeles Clippers and traded away Josh Green and Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Hornets and Pistons, respectively. Despite coming off a Finals loss, the Mavericks look to be a stronger team, but they face tough competition in the Western Conference. Their path to another Finals appearance in 2025 will be challenging.

The Final Take

While both the Celtics and Mavericks have compelling cases to return to the Finals, numerous other teams are also in the running for the championship. With the new season just over a month away, all eyes will be on both teams as they aim for another deep playoff run.

Source: https://lastwordonsports.com/basketball/2024/09/12/boston-celtics-jayson-tatum-reveals-2025-nba-finals-prediction-dallas-mavericks/