Jaylen Brown has been the center of attention following the Boston Celtics‘ 103-84 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night, a heavy defeat that confirmed their elimination from the NBA playoffs.
Brown was expected to shoulder the load after superstar Jayson Tatum rolled his ankle in the first 30 seconds of the game, but the swingman wilted under the pressure. Brown committed eight turnovers, took five personal fouls, and scored only 19 points on 23 shots as the Heat pulled away to secure a place in the NBA Finals.
After such a display, questions are being asked about whether the Celtics should sign Brown to a “upermax” contract extension that would lock up his future with the franchise.
How much money Brown can make from a supermax contract
Brown, who the Celtics selected third overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, has one year remaining on his current deal. Due to his All-NBA Second Team selection this season, Brown is eligible to put pen to paper this summer on a new five-year contract worth $295 million.
If he agrees to a new deal with Boston, Brown cannot be traded for a year and would be under contract through 2029. The final season of the deal would see him collect a salary of over $66 million.
Brown, 26, averaged a career-high 26.6 points per game on efficient shooting during the regular season. Despite his poor Game 7 against Miami, Brown averaged 22.7 points per game on nearly 50 percent shooting in the postseason as the Celtics nearly made a second consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
Tatum wants Brown to stay
Although Brown has a lot of doubters, one very influential Celtic is firmly in his corner.
Jayson Tatum told the media following Monday’s loss that is it “extremely important” for Boston to keep Brown around for the long haul. Tatum is poised to sign a new contract with the Celtics after next season that could pay him $318 million over five years.
President of basketball operations Brad Stevens will have decisions to make over the summer as the Celtics aim to remain in championship contention over the coming seasons.
