Topline
Jayson Tatum, who helped lead the Boston Celtics to their 18th NBA title last month, agreed to a five-year, $314 million contract extension—the largest contract in the league’s history—multiple outlets reported Monday afternoon.
Jayson Tatum’s reportedly $314 million contract is set to surpass teammate Jaylen Brown’s contract … [+]
Key Facts
Tatum, 26, who was drafted third overall by the Celtics in 2017, is a five-time all-star and four-time all-NBA selection and averaged 26.9 points, 4.9 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game the past regular season, according to ESPN.
The contract would extend the five-year, $163 million deal Tatum signed with the Celtics in 2020, according to Fox Sports.
Tatum nor the Celtics have confirmed the contract extension, and Forbes has reached out to the Celtics for comment.
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Big Number
$45.9 million. That’s how much Forbes estimated Tatum made in annual earnings, according to Forbes’ Highest-Paid Athletes list released in May, making him the 49th highest-paid athlete in the world.
Tangent
Earlier Monday, it was announced that the ownership group controlling the Celtics is looking to sell the team. Boston Basketball Partners said in a statement Monday it will sell all its shares and added “estate and family planning considerations” for the group’s controlling owners—the billionaire Grousbeck family—led to the decision to sell.
Key Background
Tatum led the Celtics through their championship season this year in which they had a record of 64-18. Prior to this season, the Celtics hadn’t won a championship since 2008. Though Tatum dominated the regular season, his teammate Jaylen Brown was named NBA Finals MVP, showcasing the strength of Boston’s roster beyond its top star. Last year, the Celtics signed a five-year contract extension with Brown for $304 million, which was the highest contract in NBA history before Tatum’s.