The Boston Celtics’ 2024 championship win put to rest any skepticism about extending Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on supermax contracts. Both stars were crucial to the team’s success, guiding the Celtics to their first championship since 2008. Their future salaries—$34.8 million for Tatum and $49.2 million for Brown—reflect the Celtics’ confidence in their talents.
Surprising Candidates For Celtics’ Most Regrettable Contract
However, these extensions raise concerns about the Celtics’ future financial flexibility. Tatum’s six-year, $348.8 million deal (including a player option) and Brown’s five-year, $285.4 million contract put significant pressure on Boston’s payroll. Although both contracts are well-earned, their long-term cost could pose challenges down the line.
By locking in their core players, Boston has prioritized the present, signaling that their championship window is open now, with the future considerations secondary. This bold strategy has already paid off, positioning the Celtics for another title run in 2025. The immediate outlook is promising, making any regret unlikely in the near term.
Nevertheless, the contracts for Tatum and Brown carry potential downsides. The NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) imposes stricter salary cap rules, and the luxury tax penalties aim to discourage teams from overspending. Boston may soon face tough decisions about whether keeping both stars is worth the financial strain or if adjustments are necessary to maintain a competitive roster.
The primary concern is not their performance; both Tatum and Brown are elite players whose skills are expected to endure. The real issue is the financial constraints the Celtics might encounter. Should injuries or a decline in performance occur, Boston would be bound to two enormous contracts, limiting their options. While Tatum and Brown are vital to the franchise, dedicating over 60 percent of the salary cap to two players could have significant long-term repercussions.
Unlikely To Be Regretted
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report rated the Celtics’ potential regret over these contracts at just 2 out of 10, reflecting the team’s current success and dominance. With a back-to-back championship within reach, the investments in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown seem well justified. However, this era of Celtics basketball may not last indefinitely. The stricter penalties under the new CBA for exceeding the salary cap could eventually force Boston to reevaluate its financial strategy.
If the financial strain becomes too overwhelming, the Celtics have the option to trade one of their stars. While dealing Tatum or Brown would be a tough decision, it might be necessary to maintain the team’s competitiveness in the long run. Any regret wouldn’t stem from paying these players their market value but rather from the difficult choice to part with one of them to preserve roster depth and financial flexibility.
The Last Word
Ultimately, the Celtics’ status as reigning champions and strong contenders for another title outweighs any long-term concerns. The regret level remains low. However, the team will eventually confront the possibility that both Tatum and Brown may not retire as Celtics. While this isn’t the ideal scenario, it’s a manageable consequence of prioritizing immediate success. In the end, the only real regret Boston might encounter is the need to eventually part ways with this star duo due to the financial impact of their contracts.
Tags: Boston Celtics, NBA