As the Boston Celtics prepare to open training camp, Jayson Tatum is in a far different position than he was a year ago. Now 16½ months removed from Achilles surgery, the six-time All-Star has had an entire offseason to build on his recovery.

“I feel great,” Tatum said during the team's media day availability Monday. “Get more explosive and just work on my body in totality. So, obviously feel much better than I did this time last year and I'm excited and thankful for that.”

That's a major change from a year ago, when Tatum was recovering from the Achilles injury that was expected to keep him out for most, if not all, of the season. He eventually returned in March and appeared in 16 of the Celtics' final 19 regular-season games.

Although Tatum struggled with efficiency after returning, he still averaged 21.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He carried that production into Boston's first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, but left knee stiffness kept him out of Game 7.

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Now, his attention is on staying healthy and preparing to lead a revamped Celtics roster. Boston traded Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, to the 76ers this offseason. The move ended Tatum and Brown's long-running partnership and leaves Tatum as the Celtics' unequivocal leader.

Boston also brought back Paul George through the trade and added Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley Jr.

With Tatum getting his bearings, the Celtics will head into the new season with their star ready to turn the page and get back to full throttle in his first full campaign since the Achilles injury.