What Steve Kerr Told Jayson Tatum Before Olympics Benching

Jayson Tatum might have been disappointed about what happened Sunday in France, but he apparently was not blindsided.

Team USA provided a stunner in its Paris Olympics opener when Jayson Tatum didn’t play a single minute against Serbia. Tatum, who’s fresh off an NBA championship and recently became the league’s highest-paid player, was one of two players not used by head coach Steve Kerr in the convincing win over Nikola Jokic and company.

Kerr admitted he “felt like an idiot” not playing Tatum in the Americans’ first contest in the group stage. But as the Golden State Warriors coach revealed to the Boston Celtics star before tipoff, there were a few objectives he wanted to get to Sunday,

“Yeah, it’s tough, but Jayson handled it really well,” Kerr told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, per a “SportsCenter” video. “I talked to him today before the game that it may play out this way — with Kevin (Durant) coming back and the lineups I wanted to get to. But that will change. Jayson’s gonna play. Every game’s gonna be different based on matchups.”

In a separate media availability, Kerr ensured Tatum still will “make his mark” on these Olympic Games despite not playing in Team USA’s opener. So, the five-time All-Star figures to see playing time Wednesday when the Americans play their next group-stage game against South Sudan.