Jayson Tatum didn’t hold back in expressing his delight for Jaylen Brown and his $304 million extension with the Celtics.
Jayson Tatum is absolutely ecstatic to see his good friend and Boston Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown land the biggest NBA contract ever (for now at least).
After some time of waiting, Brown finally inked an extension with the Celtics this offseason that would pay him $304 million over five years. As
mentioned, it made him the highest-paid player in the NBA, surpassing Nikola Jokic’s $276 million supermax deal from 2022.
Now in a recent interview, Tatum opened up about Brown’s deal with the Celtics and shared how hyped he is for his fellow Boston superstar.
However, he emphasized that he’s not surprised by it given that it’s a “no-brainer” move.
“Much deserved, it was a no brainer. So I’m happy for him and his family. It’s life changing. It’s a big deal. I’m happy we’re going to have him for
however much longer we’ve got him for. I’m happy about that,” Tatum told the Boston Globe in an exclusive interview.
Keeping Jaylen Brown means the Celtics have every plan to continue building around him and Jayson Tatum. As for Tatum himself, it’s definitely
great news since he will have a consistent partner in his bid to help bring Boston to the promised land.
Business wise, Tatum has every reason to be happy about Brown’s contract as well. After all, it also sets him up to a nice payday when it’s his time to
get an extension. He is eligible for an extension next offseason, and Tatum is projected to land a contract at the $338 million range.
It remains to be seen what the Celtics will actually do, but Tatum and Brown could really end up becoming the highest-paid players in the NBA come
2024.
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Why Kelly Oubre to the Celtics could make sense for both sides
Would it make sense for the Boston Celtics to pursue the services of former Charlotte Hornets forward Kelly Oubre? According to one Celtics analyst,
it very well could. According to Sports Illustrated’s Bobby Krivitsky, Tsunami Papi (as he is called for a nickname) could potentially be a valuable
asset to the Celtics if he accepts a reduced role within the team.
“If Mazzulla’s on board with how he’d fit … Boston could sign the eight-year veteran for the minimum or offer a bit more while staying under the second apron, utilizing a chunk of the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception,” posits Kritvitsky (h/t Heavy’s Adam Taylor).
“While not the cleanest fit in Mazzulla’s offense, if he’s open to the role he’d have off the bench in Boston, as a productive and versatile two-way
forward, Oubre could prove a helpful addition to the Celtics’ pursuit of Banner 18,” wrote the SI analyst.
Celtics Lab 210: FIBA flubs, insurance fraud and fan surveys in the doldrums with Wayne Spooney https://t.co/4RZ9ObKh4z via @thecelticswire pic.twitter.com/M4w6E8Pq4j
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 11, 2023
We have had doubts about such a possibility unfolding in a way that makes sense for all parties, but as the offseason drags on and cap space dries up, a one season prove-it deal is looking like it might actually be on the table should both sides feel the same.
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