In a groundbreaking moment for the NBA, Jayson Tatum has reportedly inked a historic deal with the Boston Celtics. According to Bleacher Report, Tatum and the Celtics have agreed to a five-year, $315 million contract extension, making it the largest contract in NBA history. This deal surpasses Tatum’s previous five-year, $195 million max extension from November 2020.
Before Tatum’s contract, fellow Celtics player Jaylen Brown held the record for the richest contract in NBA history, having signed a five-year supermax extension worth up to $304 million, which extends through 2029. When Brown signed his deal, he expressed his desire to use his newfound wealth to address wealth disparity by bringing a Black Wall Street to Boston.
Tatum’s new contract will officially take effect on July 6, 2024, ensuring his stay with the Celtics through the 2029-30 season, with a player option included. This deal also signifies a substantial financial commitment from Boston, with over $600 million allocated to Tatum and Brown alone. This amount doesn’t include the multi-year extensions for fellow Celtics starters Kristaps Porzingis (two years, $60 million), Jrue Holiday (four years, $135 million), and Derrick White (four years, $126 million), as reported by NESN.
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Tatum has consistently demonstrated his value on the court, averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 47% from the field. His exceptional performance has earned him All-NBA First Team honors for the third consecutive season. During the playoffs, his stats improved to 25 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, including six games where he scored over 30 points. Notably, he scored 31 points in the championship-clinching Game 5 win against the Dallas Mavericks.
Reflecting on his journey, Tatum expressed gratitude for the support he has received. “All the sacrifice was worth it. I’m so thankful to have been in the positions that I was growing up,” he said, according to CBS News. “Thankful for my mom. Thankful for my dad introducing me to basketball. My grandmother who helped raise me. All my friends and family that have supported me, every coach, every teammate that I’ve had. There’s a lot of people that have had a hand in the success of Jayson Tatum. So I guess in this moment, I’m just very thankful for everybody that supported me in the highest of moments and in the lowest of moments. I’m very, very appreciative of that.”
Looking ahead, Tatum aims to add more accolades to his resume when he joins the U.S. men’s basketball team in their pursuit of a fifth consecutive gold medal. He previously won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, adding to his impressive list of achievements.
