According to agent Jason Glushon, Jaylen Brown will stay with the Boston Celtics after agreeing to a five-year, $304 million supermax deal.
The deal was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. The agreement apparently excludes a player option and has a trade kicker.
BREAKING: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension with the franchise, per sources. This is the richest deal in NBA history, negotiated by agent Jason Glushon.
Fully guaranteed, with a trade kicker. No player option. pic.twitter.com/MQ6NKILY8Q
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2023
Brown was about to enter the last year of his deal and was scheduled to earn $28.5 million in 2023–2024.
With career highs of 26.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, the 26-year-old is coming off his greatest season in the NBA. He qualified for a supermax extension worth $295 million over five years after being chosen second-team All-NBA:
All-NBA is announced tonight.
Here’s what is at stake in Boston. pic.twitter.com/Wj2OkXHXhp
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 10, 2023
The Celtics will probably find a way to keep both players under contract even if Jayson Tatum is also eligible for a supermax extension.
In his first six seasons, Brown had already established himself as a valuable player. In 2020–21, when he averaged 24.7 points per game, he was selected for his first All-Star game. The guard and Tatum led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors and fell two victories shy of a championship.
In five of his first six NBA seasons, the No. 3 overall draught pick from 2016 advanced at least to the Eastern Conference Finals, benefiting the group on both ends of the court.
Concerns about Jaylen Brown and Tatum’s ability to get along
Tatum responded to the rumours last year about the concerns regarding him and Brown ‘s ability to get along.
"Saying we need to split the group up, get rid of somebody or me and JB can't play together… that fueled us."@jaytatum0 talks about how outside noise motivated the Celtics to come together @tvabby pic.twitter.com/liCFBrmEFG
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 30, 2022
Even after the playoff success of the previous season, Brown was still referenced in trade rumors’, with the Brooklyn Nets reportedly interested in using the wing as the centerpiece of a Kevin Durant deal. Sam Amick of The Athletic reported this.
There had been rumors’ about include Brown in a deal for Bradley Beal in prior years.
Then, concerns over Brown’s future during the 2022–2023 campaign surfaced.
When asked if he will remain with the Celtics for the long haul in March, Brown responded, “I don’t know,” according to Logan Murdock of The Ringer. “As long as you require me. I can’t control it. We’ll watch to see how they and I feel about each other over time. Whatever it is, perhaps it makes sense. But I’ll remain where I’m needed. I’ll remain where I’m required and receive the proper care.”
There was a lot of talk about a trade being made, but the Celtics decided to sign the gifted player to a new, long-term contract. Given that the franchise has ownership over Tatum, Kristaps Porziis, Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, Derrick White, and Al Horford through at least 2024–25, Boston should have a long window of opportunity to challenge for the title.
