Fresh off of his first NBA Finals win, Jayson Tatum is set to become the highest paid player in NBA history. He’s agreed to a five-year, $314 million extension with the Boston Celtics.
Shams Charania of The Athletic was first with reports of the agreement.
“Boston Celtics All-NBA star Jayson Tatum is finalizing a five-year, $314 million super maximum contract extension through the 2029-30 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium,” Charania tweeted on July 1. “This is now the largest deal in NBA history.”
Tatum is coming off of his seventh NBA season, all as a member of the Celtics. He’s been named an All-Star in five consecutive seasons, and gone to the NBA Finals in two of the last three years.
Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.0 steals in 74 regular-season appearances for Boston this season.
After helping to win the franchise’s league-record 18th championship, he and the Celtics will look to add more banners to the rafters in the years to come. Tatum is under contract through the 2029-2030 season.
His contract extension is among the many steps Boston will take as they prepare to defend their title in 2025.
Celtics Extending Championship Core
Tatum’s not the only Celtics signed to an extension. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Derrick White is signing one, too, for four years and $125.9 million.
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807817018189426691
“Boston Celtics guard Derrick White has agreed on a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski wrote. “The deal includes a player option. Huge offseason priority for the champs.”
The acquisition of White firmly placed Boston on a championship trajectory. He was acquired at the 2022 trade deadline for Romeo Langford, Josh Richardson, and a first-round pick and the rights to a pick swap in 2028.
White has appeared in 155 of 164 possible games over the last two seasons. He’s averaged 13.3 points, 4.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1 block in 181 total appearances with the Celtics.
White is as integral to the championship core as any player not named Jaylen Brown or Tatum. Locking him in is a no-brainer for Brad Stevens and company.
Celtics Re-Sign Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta
The only other contracts Boston has secured since they wrapped up their championship celebration are the re-signings of two bench players in Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta.
Kornet was the first announced contract of the NBA’s free agency window, and Wojnarowski was first with reports.
Center Luke Kornet has agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN.
“Center Luke Kornet has agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski tweeted on June 30.
Kornet appeared in 63 regular season games for the Celtics last season, including 7 starts. He averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.
He could be primed for a larger role with Kristaps Porzingis likely sidelined to start next season, after undergoing surgery “to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon.”
https://x.com/celtics/status/1806336716602499484
Charania was first with reports of Queta’s new multi-year deal.
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1807550145602392324
“Free agent big man Neemias Queta has agreed on a multi-year deal to stay with the Boston Celtics, sources tell
@TheAthletic @Stadium,” he tweeted on June 30.
Queta is coming off of his third NBA season, and his first in Boston. He made 28 regular-season appearances and averaged 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Collin Loring covers the NBA, WNBA and MLB for Heavy.com, where he has been a contributor since 2021. His sports coverage has also been featured at FanSided, Elite Sports NY and The Strickland. More about Collin Loring
