Jayson Tatum’s unprecedented deal limited the Celtics’ roster flexibility.
Celtics forward Jayson Tatum deserved every bit of the historic extension he signed on Monday, but it might have a huge impact on how the organisation builds its squad in the future years.
According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, Tatum received the largest contract in NBA history, at $315 million over five seasons. The contract surpasses that of Tatum’s teammate, Jaylen Brown, signed last summer (five years, $304 million), giving Boston the NBA’s two highest contracts.
BREAKING: Boston Celtics and star Jayson Tatum have reached an agreement on a five-year, $315M supermax extension with a player option that is the largest contract in NBA history, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/qVpr94JiAa
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2024
With limitations agreed upon in the 2023 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) entering into force, those big agreements will eventually impede Boston’s ability to add more players to their championship core.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks, the CBA’s most important change “is the addition of the first and second ‘aprons’ above the luxury tax line, both of which cut heavily into teams’ flexibility when building out rosters.”
As Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer explains, clubs above the second apron, such as the Celtics, suffer a number of constraints. Trade restrictions include the inability to match salaries in a trade by merging two players’ contracts and the removal of the mid-level exception (MLE).
A freeze is also placed on a team’s first-round pick seven years in the future, which Fischer stated is a useful tool for contenders to use in trade negotiations.
Boston, on the other hand, has built a championship core that will last for many years. Earlier Monday, the team agreed to a four-year contract agreement with guard Derrick White. In April, Jrue Holiday inked a four-year deal of his own, keeping both defensive standouts under contract until 2028.
With Brown on the roster until 2029, Kristaps Porzingis (2026) is the team’s lone top-five player who will become a free agency in the next three years.
If something goes wrong, the Celtics will have few options for pivoting. And they will pay dearly for their lengthy championship-contending window.
A freeze is also placed on a team’s first-round pick seven years from now, which Fischer believes is a good tool for contenders to wield in trade talks.
Boston, on the other hand, has established a championship core that will endure for many years. Earlier Monday, the team agreed to a four-year contract with guard Derrick White. Jrue Holiday signed a four-year extension in April, extending both defensive standouts’ contracts until 2028.
With Brown on the roster until 2029, Kristaps Porzingis (2026) is the team’s only top-five player set to become a free agent in the next three years.
“I’m not anti-dynasty, but you want dynasties to be created as much as possible on a level playing field,” commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN in April.
The Celtics made the obvious move to extend Tatum, but it will ultimately be judged alongside the team’s performance over the next four years.