It’s good to be Jayson Tatum.
Two weeks after helping lead the Boston Celtics to the first NBA championship of his career, the 26-year-old forward has now signed the largest contract in NBA history. According to TNT and Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, Tatum has agreed to a five-year, $315 million supermax extension with the Celtics, which surpasses his teammate Jaylen Brown’s previous record $304 million contract.
Considering both his age and what he has accomplished to this point in his career, Tatum’s new deal with Boston was largely a formality. Through his first seven seasons with the Celtics, the Duke product has been named an All-Star five times and first-team All-NBA selection in each of the past three seasons, while helping leading Boston to two NBA Finals appearances, including this year’s title.
While it was Brown who was named the MVP of both the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals this year, Tatum led the Celtics in scoring, rebounding and assists throughout the postseason. Although it cost the franchise more than $600 million to do so, Boston has now locked up its two best players — both of whom are 27 and 26-years-old, respectively — through at least the 2028-29 NBA season.
Following the news of Tatum’s new record-breaking deal, many around the NBA world took to social media to weigh in on what it means for the Celtics and the rest of the league.
Wyc doing right by the players and getting them paid and then cashing out so he doesn’t have to pay the tax 😂 respect tbh https://t.co/uSRtAcNwwG
— Alexandra Francisco (@ByAlFrancisco) July 1, 2024
It’s almost like they were smart to not break up The Jays after losing to Miami last year. Perhaps patience is actually a good thing. https://t.co/1wo64gOLxD
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) July 1, 2024
$315 million is an insane number to see. NBA money is WILD https://t.co/PwT5GxVGMv
— Deuce Mason (@DeuceMason) July 1, 2024
The NBA has a $63M per year player on the books. https://t.co/q4GprR1m7M
— Spotrac (@spotrac) July 1, 2024
Deserves every single penny.
Core is 🔒 for years to come. Window is just opening https://t.co/zHPSKTnDFB
— Beantown Banners (@BeantownTalk) July 1, 2024
$63M/year is WILD. Not saying it’s not what they should do, its just crazy how NBA cap has escalated. https://t.co/eP2NwI5ARS
— JazzJargon (@JazzJargon) July 1, 2024
NBA champ and largest contract in NBA history right after. Respect. https://t.co/x9DsjYu1z4
— Vincent ☀️ (@VincentKeyes1) July 1, 2024
Celtics seem to be the only team operating like the 2nd apron does not exist https://t.co/Bg7yOSIRtv
— Jake Reetz (@jajareetz) July 1, 2024
