Comparing Boston Celtics Atar Jayson Tatum’s NBA Career With Kevin Durant’s First Seven Seasons
Since the Boston Celtics won their record 18th NBA championship after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum has been in the spotlight. The Celtics forward fell short of winning the MVP honors last season despite his high-performing campaign. However, Tatum’s early career trajectory parallels two-time champion Kevin Durant.
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While the Phoenix Suns star forward’s legacy is cemented in the NBA, Tatum is one of the league’s premier young talents. Durant and the Celtics forward have almost identical playing styles and physical characteristics. Let’s compare Jayson Tatum’s career to Kevin Durant’s first seven NBA seasons.
Jayson Tatum Vs. Kevin Durant: Regular-Season Comparison
Talking about the similarities between Tatum and Durant, they can play in multiple positions per their team’s requirements. The Boston Celtics selected the forward third overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, while Durant was the Seattle SuperSonics’ second pick in 2007.
Stats (AVG)
Jayson Tatum
Kevin Durant
Points
23.1
27.1
Rebound
7.2
7
Assists
3.5
3.5
FG
46%
47.9%
3-PT FG
37.5%
37.4%
Jayson Tatum Vs. Kevin Durant: Regular-Season Avg Stats Comparison
In the 2023-24 season, Tatum averaged 26.9 points on 47.1% shooting from the field and 37.6% three-point FG, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. In contrast, Durant averaged 32 points on 50.3% FG and 39.1% 3-PT FG, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game in the 2013-14 season.
Jayson Tatum Vs. Kevin Durant: Postseason Comparison
The Boston Celtics are the most successful NBA team, with a record 18 titles. Tatum joined the Giants in 2007 and qualified for the playoffs each season. On the other hand, Durant played for the Seattle SuperSonics, which relocated to Oklahoma City after the 2007-08 season. The former Oklahoma City Thunder forward played five playoff games in his first seven NBA seasons.
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Stats (AVG)
Jayson Tatum
Kevin Durant
Points
24
28.5
Rebound
7.9
8.2
Assists
4.9
3.8
FG
44%
44.6%
3-PT FG
34.5%
33.1%
Jayson Tatum Vs. Kevin Durant: Postseason Avg Stats Comparison
In his five postseason appearances, Durant’s Thunder featured in the 2012 NBA Finals, which they eventually lost against LeBron James and Dwayne Wade’s Miami Heat. Jayson Tatum and the Celtics featured in two NBA Finals in the last seven years, winning the championship in 2024. Boston lost the 2022 NBA Finals against Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors.
Jayson Tatum Vs. Kevin Durant: Achievements
While Tatum has been a Celtics stalwart, the Phoenix Suns star has played for four teams: the Oklahoma City Thunder (previously Seattle SuperSonics), the Golden State Warriors, and the Brooklyn Nets. In their first seven seasons, Durant and Tatum were named All-Stars five times; however, the Celtics forward (3) has two fewer All-NBA First-Team selections.
Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant (Images Credit: Getty Images)
KD has been a prolific scorer in his career since the beginning. He won the scoring leader award four times in his first seven seasons, including three back-to-back wins. In 2013, Durant joined the 50-40-90 club (50% FG, 40% 3-PT FG, and 90% FT FG), a feat not yet achieved by the great LeBron James.
After playing seven seasons, Jayson Tatum’s pursuit of securing an MVP award continues. On the other hand, the 2008 Rookie of the Year was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2014, his seventh season. However, the Celtics star has won more championships than Durant in his first seven seasons.
Jayson Tatum Vs. Kevin Durant: Net Worth Comparison
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jayson Tatum has a net worth of $80 million. The Boston Celtics star forward is in the final stage of his five-year, $163 million contract with the franchise and will earn around $35 million in the upcoming season. Tatum has several rewarding endorsement deals, including Nike, Jordan Brand, Gatorade, Subway, Imo’s Pizza, and Ruffles.
Jayson Tatum (Image Credit: Getty Images)
In July 2024, Tatum signed a five-year, $313 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics, the largest contract in NBA history. In the next three years, the Celtics forward’s net worth might increase twice his current value.
On the other hand, Kevin Durant’s net worth was $70 million at the end of his seventh NBA season in 2014. Considering the difference in contract value in the NBA a decade ago, Durant had a lucrative salary. In 2017, the then-Golden State Warriors forward’s net worth was $120 million.
Kevin Durant (Image Credit: Getty Images)
The 14-time NBA All-Star has an enduring influence in the league, while the 26-year-old forward continuously progresses and could achieve elite-level greatness. Tatum is growing into a leadership role with the Boston Celtics, and the forward seems not far from winning the MVP honor.
