Duke Basketball Superstar Signs Richest Contract in NBA History
Jayson Tatum’s remarkable summer continues with a record-breaking contract extension. Following his first NBA championship, leading the Boston Celtics’ victory parade, and throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Boston Red Sox game, Tatum now holds the richest contract in NBA history.
Reports indicate that Tatum and the Celtics agreed to a 5-year, $314 million maximum extension on Monday afternoon. This surpasses his teammate Jaylen Brown’s $304 million extension from last summer, which previously held the record for the largest contract in league history. However, Tatum’s record may be short-lived as Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is projected to be eligible for a $346 million extension next offseason.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Tatum’s contract includes a player option for the final year and a trade kicker, effectively serving as a no-trade clause. If Tatum opts in for the final year, he will earn $71.4 million during the 2029-30 season, becoming the first player in NBA history to earn at least $70 million in a single year.
The former Duke standout averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game this season, shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range. Despite his strong performance, averaging 25.0 points per game in the postseason, he was not named Eastern Conference Finals MVP or NBA Finals MVP.
Tatum’s return to the court is imminent, with the timing of the contract being crucial as he prepares to report to Las Vegas for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team training camp. He aims to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, seeking his second gold medal.
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