NEWSLETTER
The NBA has a new highest-paid player. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Boston Celtics and their star forward Jayson Tatum have agreed to a five-year super max contract extension worth $314 million. Tatum and the Celtics are coming off his first and the franchise’s 18th NBA title. The 26-year-old has now been awarded the largest contract in NBA history.
In the regular season, Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 47.1% shooting from the field and helped Boston to an NBA-best 64-18 record. In the postseason, Tatum put up 25 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game and helped lead his team through a dominant 16-4 record en route to the title.
Jayson Tatum & Celtics Core Sticking Together
The move comes as no surprise. Tatum became eligible for his super max extension this offseason and it was widely believed that the deal would come together quickly. Add in the fact that he helped lead Boston to the NBA title, and it was a mere formality.
Tatum is the second Celtics star to ink a super max extension with the team. This season was Jaylen Brown’s first year of a five-year, $285 million deal with Boston.
That wasn’t the only move Boston made today. They made another key deal to keep their championship core together. Earlier today, they reached an agreement with guard Derrick White on a four-year, $126 million contract extension.
It’s been an active offseason for the Eastern Conference. The Knicks, 76ers, and Magic have all made moves to get significantly better. But now that Boston has been able to keep their core together, the East still runs through them.
