Jayson Tatum lobbied for NBA rule change to help former Duke teammate
May 15, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates during the second half of their win over the Milwaukee Bucks in game seven of the second round of the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum had a pretty neat gesture for one of his former Duke teammates, and may have played a small role in a notable rule change in the new NBA collective bargaining agreement.
The new CBA will now allow players an extra year of two-way eligibility if they miss a full NBA season. Previously, players with less than four years of service could sign two-way contracts, but no exceptions were made in case of a season-long injury. That impacted the likes of Harry Giles III, a first-round pick in 2017 who missed the entire 2017-18 season due to knee issues. Under the previous rule, Giles would have lost the ability to sign a two-way deal next season.
The new CBA will no longer count such seasons, making Giles eligible for a two-way deal once more. Among those to lobby for the change was Tatum, and he did it with Giles in mind.
“I reached out in support,” Tatum told Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report. “Just trying help my guy. He deserves this shot.”
Giles took notice of the gesture on social media.
— Harry Giles III (@HGiiizzle) June 29, 2023
Tatum and Giles were both one-and-done freshmen on the 2016-17 Duke Blue Devils, and Tatum clearly has kept his former teammate in mind. Last year, Tatum even campaigned for the Celtics to sign Giles. He has some clout with the league, and his voice probably did not hurt the effort to get the rule changed, which is a pretty neat gesture.
