The Boston Celtics have reached the Eastern Conference Finals in five of their last seven seasons, with Jaylen Brown playing a crucial role in each playoff run. However, a 15-year playoff drought has sparked calls for change in Boston.
Brown, age 26, is entering the final year of his contract. The 6-foot-6 wing agreed to a four-year, $115 million extension in 2019. Now a two-time All-Star selection, Brown is poised to become one of the highest-paid NBA players next summer.
- Jaylen Brown contract: $28.508M salary (2023-’24), 2024 NBA free agency
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However, Brown’s inconsistency during the playoffs and his issues as a ball-handler has raised questions regarding his future in Boston. Amid circulating trade rumors, Celtics’ general manager Brad Stevens provided a definitive answer on Thursday.
“I’m not allowed to talk about the contract details, let alone the extension… but I can say without a doubt we want Jaylen to be here.”
Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens on Jaylen Brown’s future with the team
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Because Brown earned All-NBA Second Team honors during the regular season, he is eligible for a supermax extension. If the Celtics want to retain the All-Star wing, the most they can offer is $295 million over five years.
- Jaylen Brown stats (2022-’23): 26.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, .100 WS/48
The All-NBA selection alone cost Boston an additional $100 million compared to what Brown would’ve been eligible for prior to this season. In combination with Jayson Tatum, Boston could owe its superstars $613 million combined if it decides to extend both at the supermax level.
For now, the Celtics seem prepared to keep Brown with the only significant change this offseason coming to the coaching staff. If Boston suffers another playoff exit next season, though, it’s very likely more sweeping changes happen.
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