Jayson Tatum Secures Largest Contract In NBA History With Extension From Celtics
Jayson Tatum makes NBA history with a groundbreaking $314 million contract extension from the Boston Celtics, securing his future with the team shortly after their 18th championship win. We discuss it here!
Jayson Tatum Secures Largest Contract In NBA History With Extension From Celtics
By: Joshua Martin
Just days after winning their league-leading 18th title, the Boston Celtics took little time ensuring fans that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be in Boston for the foreseeable future. Despite not winning Finals MVP, Tatum now can claim the distinct honor of having the richest contract in NBA history. The new 5 year deal worth a record $314 million, overtakes his teammate and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown’s $285 million deal, which at the time was the richest in league history.
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. This is now the largest deal in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/FCAZLTmkhi
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2024
Tatum was a force this season despite being highly scrutinized. During the Celtics impressive playoff run he averaged 25 points, just under 10 rebounds, and six assists per game. Adding veteran pieces such as Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to an already talented roster increased the pressure to win a championship. After years of coming up short, they finally got the job done against the Dallas Mavericks in a convincing 5 games.
BOSTON CELTICS ARE YOUR 2024 NBA CHAMPIONS 🏆 | 2024 NBA Finals
Tatum’s career accolades include a championship, a new record setting deal, 3 straight First Team All-NBA selections and 5 straight All-Star selections. Not bad before the age of 26.
Next season, the Celtics look to win back-to-back championships for the first time since the 2017 and 2018 Golden State Warriors. They will once again have a talented core after resigning guard Derrick White to a new deal also. Even with Kristaps on the mend, and inevitable age and regression, this Celtics team looks like they will be a thorn in the side of all NBA teams for years to come.
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Recap of the 2023 NBA All Star Weekend in Salt Lake City
Recap of the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City featuring Rising Stars Challenge, Celebrity Game, HBCU Classic, Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, and the All-Star Game with Jayson Tatum as MVP.
By: Joshua Martin
Lebron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, and more!!
Salt Lake City, Utah was this year's destination the entire NBA world ascended upon for this year’s All-star weekend. The NBA’s brightest stars and celebrities alike were center stage as they showcased their abilities across a packed weekend full of exciting events for basketball fans.
Friday Night
The Jordan Rising Stars Challenge featured four teams coached by former NBA stars. Team Pau, Team Deron, Team Joakim and Team Jason competed in a mini tournament involving 21 rookie and second year NBA players along with a few players from the G League. Team Pau won the tournament while Pelicans Guard Jose Alvarado took home the tournament MVP trophy. .
The NBA Ruffles All Star Celebrity game featured a cross section of athletes and entertainers, which included Grammy Award winning rapper 21 Savage, musicians Cordae and Jonelle Monae, NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson and recently retired MLB player Albert Pujols. The MVP of the game, D.K. Metcalf, was a clear overwhelming presence on the court and instantly became a crowd favorite with his powerful dunks. Team Dwayne Wade, NBA Legend, defeated Team Ryan Smith, Governor of Utah, in a highly competitive game that came down to a half court heave at the buzzer.
Saturday Night
NBA x HBCU Classic
The highly anticipated NBA HBCU Classic between Grambling State University and their long time rival Southern University gave a much needed spotlight to Historically Black Colleges. On the campus of the University of Utah, Grambling captured the victory as NBA analyst Stephanie Ready and Hall of Famer Grant Hill called the game. Southern Head coach Sean Woods applauded the NBA for the exposure.
“The NBA has given us this platform, but this isn’t the end. We’re getting more TV exposure, so you’re starting to see really big-time games. And with the transfer portal now, we’re getting transfers coming in from Power 5 schools. The talent pool is rising in our league.”
As part of their ongoing commitments to HBCUs, NBA and AT&T each donated $100,000 to Grambling State and Southern University.
In the 2023 KIa Skills Challenge, Team Jazz (Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton) defeated Team Antetokounmpo (Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo, along with Jrue Holiday) and Team Rooks (Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith) in front of their hometown crowd after trailing early.
The 2023 Starry 3-Point Contest featured some of the best shooters in the league today. The 8-man field included Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, Buddy Heild of the Indiana Pacers, Kevin Hueter of the Sacramento Kings, Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, and the eventual champion Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. “Dame Dolla” defeated Buddy Heild with a moneyball on his last rack in the final round. Lillard, who is a superstar in this league, said winning the event undoubtedly made him one of the greatest shooters ever.
“I think all the best shooters in the history of our game, most of them have one of these… I just wanted to get it done at least one time. So I’m happy I got it, now I can retire from it.”
Damian Lillard | Patrick T. Fallon via AFP
Initially viewed as an afterthought, The 2023 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest was the best it's been in years. Philadelphia 76ers guard dazzled the crowd with his gravity defying dunks and creativity. Not to mention he completed all of his attempts on the first try. Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr., New York Knicks big man Jericho Sims and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III held their own but were no match for McClung who sealed his impressive night with an incredible 540.
Sunday Night
For the first time in All Star game history, the main event featured a pre draft where captains Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo picked their teams. Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum led team Giannis to victory while also capturing the Kobe Bryant All Star MVP trophy by dropping 55 points, an all star game record previously held by Lakers forward Anthony Davis. The lack of defense and effort was jarring as the game has unfortunately dissolved into a glorified shootaround but that didn't stop JT from going after the award in honor of his childhood idol Kobe Bryant.
“It’s extremely special to me. My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him and I remember telling myself that someday I got to get one of those.”
The captains played limited minutes because of minor injuries.
Overall, on a scale from 1 to 10, I'll give this year's All Star weekend a 7 with a few surprises here and there. The fans were amazing and in full force but maybe the NBA should look into some warmer locations. With no set destination for 2025, L.A. would be a dope changeup!! Let’s make that happen NBA!!
Meet Joshua Martin, Senior Video Editor for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com