What does Jaylen Brown’s extension mean for the Boston Celtics moving forward?
Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics have reportedly agreed to terms on a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension. The deal will keep the two-time All-Star in the Hub through the ’28-29 NBA season. This marks the most lucrative contract extension in league history, and is an opportunity for Boston to maintain its status as a title contender for years to come.
Brown became eligible for such a deal after earning All-NBA honors this past season, landing on the All-NBA second team as a forward. Jayson Tatum, meanwhile, was named to the All-NBA first team, and Tatum could ink a similar extension as soon as next summer. As such, the Celtics have two All-NBA caliber players under contract for an extended stretch during the 2020s. It is fair to wonder how financially sustainable such a top-heavy roster is, although a potential new television deal for the league could bring about big jumps in the NBA’s salary cap moving forward.
So what then does Jaylen Brown’s contract extension mean for the Boston Celtics? What advantages does this bring to the team? What pitfalls or concerns might there be? Let’s discuss.
Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics have agreed to terms on a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension. https://t.co/mUbb6jN7Dz
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) July 25, 2023
The deal itself
Brown’s contract is fully guaranteed, according to the Athletic’s Shams Charania. After some speculation, there is no player option attached to this deal. (Tatum has a player option for the ’25-26 season, and there was some speculation Brown would seek one as well.) Brown’s extension does include a trade kicker, however. This would make trading Brown a more expensive possibility for the Celtics should the team eventually explore that path, although the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach reported the trade kicker is worth less than maximum 15% allowed.
When the deal officially begins in ’24-25, Brown will make an estimated $52.3 million in annual salary. The number jumps to north of $69 million in the final year of the deal. These numbers represent a record for the moment but will become increasingly standard for NBA stars as more players ink new contracts and the salary cap continues to increase.
What sort of players does this team need to fit Mazzulla Ball in its full fruition? Which players who are still unsigned might fit that bill? https://t.co/rh2SDYuEJU
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) July 25, 2023
The advantages of the deal
The deal chiefly represents a bit of stability for the two parties. Brown’s name has been in trade rumors for nearly his entire Celtics career, and his own satisfaction with the team has often been the source of speculation both fair and unfair. Now Brown’s future is a little more clear, and any distractions, doubts, or day dreams can be put to bed for the foreseeable future.
Brown averaged 26.6 points last year, a career-best. He also contributed 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists. The 26-year old has shown consistent growth in his time with Boston, and played in his fifth Eastern Conference Finals last season.
By locking in Brown to a max extension, Boston may be an expensive team, but it is one with undeniable talent and an impressive foundation. Alongside Brown and Tatum, the Celtics are also welcoming Kristaps Porzingis into the fold next year. This trio of All-Stars represents an intriguing core for a team eager to raise an 18th banner.
Former Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams discussed some of the more frustrating moments from his tenure with the team. https://t.co/4SAwYLr2rB
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) July 25, 2023
The (possible) disadvantages of the deal
All-NBA forwards are some of the most impactful players in the Association, and Brown is only just stepping into his prime. Boston would have been foolish to turn away from such an important homegrown star, and this supermax extension was always very likely to get done. Brown, meanwhile, would have been leaving millions of dollars in salary on the table if he walked away from a deal. Now, however, the Celtics do have a bit of added pressure to win.
When Brown’s deal kicks in, the team will be operating as a second apron team under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. By crossing this threshold, Boston faces new barriers related to roster building and team finances. Moving forward, this deal will likely limit the club’s flexibility, putting new stresses on the team’s front office and ownership.
Winning fixes everything, however. If Boston is able to hoist a championship trophy some time in the next few seasons, this deal is a clear home run. If the Celtics come up short, there will be some commentary around difficult decisions and plenty of retrospectives.
There are some serious challenges in making such a deal. https://t.co/cSjpGxtRiI
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) July 25, 2023
Final thoughts
Boston selected Jaylen Brown with the No. 3 pick back in 2016, and now he’s posed to remain with the team for another five years. In an era of turbulent player turnover, keeping a star player with the team that drafted him is worth celebrating.
Likewise, the pairing of Brown and Tatum is the envy of almost every other team in the Association. The proof is in the pudding, and the young duo has been to four Eastern Conference Finals together.
The future looks bright for Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics. If you squint, you can find causes for concern. But for now, congrats to both sides for getting such a monster deal done.
Boston Celtics fans quickly took to Blake Griffin last season, unfortunately, according to a recent report, the team is not likely to bring him back for another season. https://t.co/LNJ61Lv5Jk
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) July 25, 2023
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