Congratulations are in order for Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics, and not just because they won their 18th championship, setting the league record in titles.
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But it appears that Tatum is also to get paid. Like, really, really paid.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Celtics intend to offer Tatum a five-year, $315 million supermax extension — a deal that will top the one given to fellow Celtics wing and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. It will also make Tatum the highest-paid player in the history of the NBA.
How's that for a successful season, in which, playoffs included, the Celtics finished 80-21.
This was the first title for Tatum and Brown, though they have now been to the Finals in two of the past three years (losing to the Warriors in six games in 2022).
We can all safely assume that if such a deal is offered, Tatum will gladly accept. If the Celtics can continue their current run, Tatum and Brown will go down among the all-time greats in franchise lore.
And while they deserve the lion's share of the credit for this championship, you also have to applaud head of basketball operations Brad Stevens, who went out and landed Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday during the offseason. Both were major contributors.
Same goes for the coaching of Joe Mazzulla, who brought it all together.
Along with Tatum, the Celtics are expected to try to work out a contract extension with Derrick White, per Wojnarowski. White was an underrated force at both ends, and is said to be among the best all-around teammates and overall dudes in the NBA.
Boston surpassed the Los Angeles Lakers in winning its 18th championship. The Lakers, who are still looking to hire a coach, have 17 and now sit in second.
