Boston Celtics Player Signs Richest NBA Deal in History
Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown has just signed a supermax contract extension which will pay him $304 million over the course of five years. The new deal makes Brown the highest-paid player in the history of the NBA, eclipsing Nikola Jokić who signed a deal worth $264 million last summer.
Brown’s agent confirmed the titanic deal to ESPN on Tuesday morning.
BREAKING: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension with the franchise, per sources. This is the richest deal in NBA history, negotiated by agent Jason Glushon.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2023
Fully guaranteed, with a trade kicker. No player option. pic.twitter.com/MQ6NKILY8Q
Brown was chosen by the Celtics when he entered the field in 2016 as the third overall pick. Since, he has become one of the team’s most prolific members and a two-time All-Star. Last season, he averaged career highs of 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
Heading into the offseason, the biggest question was whether Brown would remain with the Celtics. Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations for the team, had been upfront about his desire for Brown to ink a long-term deal.
"I've had nothing but great conversations with Jaylen. I can say, without a doubt, we want Jaylen to be here. He’s a big part of us. We believe in him and I’m thankful for him,” Stevens told ESPN in June.
“I’m really thankful that when those guys have success they come back to work. And when they get beat, they own it and they come back to work. And so I know that’s what they’re about. And that’s hard to find.”
Fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum, who along with Brown led the Celtics to the 2021–22 NBA Finals, told The Boston Globe that it was “extremely important” to keep Brown with the team in a long-term capacity.
“He’s one of the best players in this league,” Tatum said. “He plays both ends of the ball and still is relatively young. And he’s accomplished a lot so far in his career. So, I think it’s extremely important.”
Brown’s contract gives indications of where the team may head with Tatum’s deal. Though he’s still playing through his rookie contract, Tatum will be eligible for his own supermax deal in 2024.
Though it may not be as much as Kylian Mbappé could be making on his reported new contract, this news certainly gives Jaylen Brown reason to celebrate.