The Boston Celtics have now officially locked up their future for the next five years. For the next five seasons, the Celtic forward will be staying in Boston on a max contract extension. The deal is worth $195 million.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum was drafted third overall in the 2017 draft. A draft class filled with talent. Tatum was the third player to sign a max extension with the team that drafted them. Earlier, on the same day Tatum signed, Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz signed a max extension. A few days earlier De’Aaron Fox signed a max extension that gave him slightly less in guaranteed money.
Tatum has been nothing but fantastic for Boston since coming to the league. In his first year, he led an injury-riddled roster to the Eastern Conference finals. In his rookie year, he led the team in points during their playoff run. The young forward also was contending for the best three-point shooting percentage, as in his rookie season he averaged 43% from deep.
Tatum has taken big steps after each season. From averaging 13.9 points in his rookie campaign to 15.7 his second year to last season averaging 23.4. In just his third season, the 21-year-old forward was considered in the MVP race. With averages of 23.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. He also led the Celtics to the third seed in the Eastern Conference. He also received a place as one of the forwards in the All-NBA third team this past season.
The New Deal
Tatum’s new contract will not kick in until the 2021-2022 season, once his rookie deal is over. This deal gives the forward a player option for the 2025-2026 season. After the signing, Tatum’s mother told reporters that her son wanted to become a Celtics lifer. Stating that he wants to not only stay in Boston for the majority of his career. That he also wants to bring the City multiple new banners and have his number retired in the rafters.
Boston for the second year in a row made a deal with a premier draft pick. Last offseason, the team signed Jaylen Brown their third overall pick in 2016 to an extension. That deal was worth 115 million over four years. Thus keeping their young duo together for the long haul. The Tatum deal is spectacular for Boston. As for the next five seasons, they have a perennial franchise player. Tatum bleeds Celtic green, and the team has its future secured with this deal.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
