NBA Notebook: Jayson Tatum's full return, Keyonte George re-signs, and Knicks roster moves

Next season will have a lot going on. The Boston Celtics completely changed their franchise's future outlook when they traded Jaylen Brown. And the change is going to begin right away.

Payton Pritchard will have more responsibility. Paul George is in town. Same with Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley Jr. Boston's young core will have more opportunities to shine. But perhaps the most intriguing storyline of them all has been relatively underdiscussed.

Amidst the hooplah of the Brown situation is Jayson Tatum's full return to action. Obviously, Tatum was back on the court by March 6 last year after tearing his Achilles, but he wasn't fully himself.

During a recent appearance on The Dan Partick Show, Tatum said as much. He said he spent all of last season anxious about re-injuring himself: “I was nervous, I was anxious," Tatum said. "To be honest, I was nervous every game I played in.”

Now, the first thought that pops up is, 'Well, then why did he return so early?' And that's a relatively fair question. But based on the build-up, Tatum's YouTube documentary series, and all of the hype, it seems like he just wanted to do it to prove that he could.

And he did. Tatum looked good when he returned to the court. His efficiency wasn't amazing, but he rebounded at an elite level and played well with the ball. And in the playoffs, he showed flashes of his best self.

Still, something looked off. You could tell that the burst wasn't there. The confidence in his leg wasn't there. Plays that would normally be obvious driving opportunities turned into awkward threes or half-hearted rim attempts.

It didn't look like the Tatum of old. The pre-injury Tatum. The version that earned All-NBA First Team honors four years in a row. Based on his supposed nerves, that makes sense.

But if Boston wants this new team to work -- this post-Brown group -- Tatum needs to return to form. Those nerves need to be shaken off and put to rest.

More than a Pritchard leap, more than a healthy George, more than a Derrick White shooting resurgence, the Celtics need prime Tatum. That's what they have banked their future on. That's what they believe in.

1. Keyonte George extension

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Utah Jazz have signed Keyonte George to a five-year, $157.5 million contract extension. George enjoyed a breakout campaign last year in Utah.

In his 54 appearances, George averaged 23.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field and 37.1% from deep on 6.7 3-point attempts per contest.

George and rookie Darryn Peterson are now slated to be the Jazz's starting backcourt of the future. Utah has locked him up on a long-term deal.

2. Other smaller signings

In addition to the George signing, the New Orleans Pelicans handed Saddiq Bey a new deal. He inked a three-year, $55.5 million extension.

Bey was one of the Pelicans' most important players last year. In 72 appearances, he averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 45.1% from the field and 36.7% from distance on 5.7 3-point attempts a night.

The Denver Nuggets also made a move, albeit a smaller one. They signed Cam Whitmore to a two-way contract after the Cleveland Cavaliers waived him.

Whitmore has bounced around the league since being drafted 20th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets.

3. Heat extend Pelle Larsson

The Miami Heat also got in on the action on Friday afternoon. They signed Pelle Larsson to a four-year, $60 million extension with a mutual option in the final season.

This signing may be the most important of the bunch. The Heat need depth, and Larsson should play a major role for them next season.

He's a pesky perimeter defender and an ever-improving offensive player, too. Miami was smart to bring him back for the coming years so he can play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

4. Knicks looking to fill out roster

The New York Knicks have brought in a bunch of players to compete for a standard roster spot during training camp. They have only 13 players on the roster and need to make at least one more signing before the season starts.

So, they are going to host a training-camp battle for the final spot. New York signed Bruce Brown, John Konchar, Ochai Agbaji, Drew Eubanks, and James Wiseman to Exhibit 10 contracts.

Theoretically, any of them could make the squad, but it feels like Eubanks and Wiseman could have a leg up. Andre Drummond is the Knicks' only backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns.

5. 2023 rookie extensions

Obviously, the Jalen Duren contract situation has taken over the summer, but the 2023 NBA Draft has been in the news, too. Only two players from that class have signed extensions: Victor Wembanyama and Amen Thompson.

That was, until Friday night. The Detroit Pistons signed Ausar Thompson to a five-year, $155 million contract extension. He and his twin brother have now signed for a combined $363 million this summer.

Charania mentioned that conversations between Brandon Miller and the Charlotte Hornets will ramp up in the coming weeks. But still, neither has agreed on a deal.

Guys like Cason Wallace, Brandin Podziemski, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Anthony Black also need new deals. The new CBA and the second apron have made teams very hesitant to sign large, long-term contracts, even just extensions.