In a landmark move, Jayson Tatum has agreed to a monumental five-year, $314 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics, as reported by The Athletic on Monday. This deal not only secures Tatum’s future with the Celtics but also establishes him as the highest-paid player in NBA history.
This significant extension will commence with the 2025-26 season, ensuring Tatum remains a key player for the Celtics until the end of the 2029-30 season. His new supermax contract surpasses the previous record held by his teammate Jaylen Brown, who had signed a five-year contract worth up to $304 million last offseason.
Currently, Tatum, at 26 years old, is in the latter stages of a five-year, $163 million extension he inked with Boston in 2020. Under his new agreement, he is set to earn $51.4 million in the upcoming season, with his annual salary peaking at $71.4 million in the final year, averaging out to $62.8 million per season.
Tatum’s performance on the court has been nothing short of stellar. Last season, he posted averages of 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 47% from the field. His outstanding play earned him a spot on the All-NBA first team for the third year in a row. During the playoffs, his numbers 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 decisive Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, clinching the championship for the Celtics.
Throughout his seven-year career, Tatum has been selected as an All-Star five times. The Boston Celtics recognized his potential early on, drafting him as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Tatum’s new contract not only reflects his immense value to the team but also sets a new benchmark in the NBA’s financial landscape, underscoring his status as one of the league’s premier players.
