After Celtics & Jayson Tatum Agree To Biggest NBA Contract Ever, Critics Wonder Where They’ll Trim Payroll

The Celtics made their intention clear: to run it back. On Monday, star forward Jayson Tatum was locked up to a record five-year, $314 million deal set to expire in the 2029-2030 season. A player option and trade kick were included in the contract. With the deal’s salary terms, Tatum will become the NBA’s first player to make $70 million in a season – he’s expected to make $71 million in the contract’s fifth year. Jaylen Brown was signed to a record deal last season, keeping the duo intact for four more seasons – Brown’s contract was renewed in 2023 for five years, worth $304 million.

The star recorded 22.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in game five against the Mavericks to clinch Boston’s 18th Larry O’Brien Trophy. The forward averaged 26.9 points this past season while averaging 8.1 rebounds per game. Tatum came in sixth place in MVP voting. He was picked third overall in the 2017 draft and developed into a top-three NBA forward. In addition, Tatum made five All-Star games while winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Derick White was also renewed Monday, making every starter under contract for at least the next two seasons. White resigned for $125.9 million over four years, while point guard Jrue Holiday signed a four-year $134.4 million extension in April. The Celtics are projected to pay almost $200 million to their starting five.

Boston’s majority owners intend to sell the team later this year or in 2025, as $600 million would need to go out to pay the Tatum and Brown tandem. The Celtics are currently worth $4.7 billion, according to Forbes, and over $5.1 billion, according to Sportico. The C’s could have their hands full financially as a plan to cut payroll needs to be implemented as big spenders face a penalty under the collective-bargaining agreement. Operating costs are increasing as Boston paid over $110 million in luxury taxes the past two seasons and is expected to pay $50 million this year.