Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics celebrate against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
NBA rumors: Celtics’ All-NBA selections could cost team more than $100 million
The Boston Celtics avoided an early postseason exit with Thursday’s Game 6 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, clinching the win thanks to strong performances from their star duo, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Tatum struggled throughout the first three quarters before finding his groove in the fourth, outscoring the 76ers 16-13 alone; Brown put together a solid game overall with 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
The good news for the Celtics is that those two can help them defeat Philly in Game 7 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. The bad news is that the team does, eventually, have to think about their massive extensions.
Both Tatum and Brown became super-max eligible after being named to the All-NBA team: Tatum made the first team while Brown made the second team.
Tatum will be up for a five-year, $318 million extension, and Brown will be up for a five-year, $295 million extension.
Of the two, Tatum’s contract extension feels like the safest lock. Tatum’s more defensive-minded costar, Brown, has been a frequently talked about potential trade candidate (Brown to the Warriors? Cowherd is insane) for most of his Celtics’ career, and those rumors are only getting louder now. Brown’s early career in Boston was one littered with immature mistakes and inconsistencies, and some analysts don’t see him as a long-term franchise piece for the Celtics.
Brown himself said in March that he doesn’t know if he will stay. “As long as I’m needed. It’s not up to me.”
Not very reassuring for someone who could cost the franchise almost $300 million this summer.