Jayson Tatum was already close to one of the new assistant coaches the Celtics hired over the offseason. It appears he’s gotten close to another one.

Boston Celtics’ star player, Jayson Tatum, has been engaging in workout sessions with assistant coach Sam Cassell after several practices during the team’s training camp. Furthermore, Tatum also received guidance from Cassell before the lone preseason game he has participated in so far.

As many assistant coaches in the NBA typically work 1-on-1 with a few players, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters that pairing Cassell with Tatum was pretty simple.“‘Hey JT, do you wanna work with Sam?’ I just asked him if that’s what he wanted,” Mazzulla said of how Tatum began working with Cassell.

Cassell’s influence has been instrumental in the development of Maxey, who has blossomed into a consistent 20-point per-game scorer. Since being selected as the No. 21 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Maxey has benefited from Cassell’s close guidance and mentorship, with frequent sessions during the season and offseason.

In addition to his work with Tatum, Cassell has also dedicated time to working with guard Jrue Holiday, specifically focusing on improving his post moves after a recent practice.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla recognizes the value of Cassell’s basketball knowledge and skills, and he hopes that Cassell can extend his individualized attention to every player on the roster. Mazzulla believes that Cassell’s involvement in understanding each player’s strengths and areas for improvement will ultimately contribute to the team’s overall progress and success.