Jaylen Brown, at the age of 26, has secured his place in basketball history. In a groundbreaking deal, the Boston Celtics have signed Brown to a $304 million contract, setting a new record for the largest deal in NBA history.
What makes this deal even more remarkable is that it is fully guaranteed. This means that Brown is protected against any potential skill decline or injury, ensuring his future with the team until 2029.
In the NBA, each team has a designated amount of money, known as the salary cap, which they can spend on players each year. This cap is calculated based on the league’s annual revenue, which has been consistently increasing. As a result, players have the opportunity to secure bigger and more lucrative contracts.
However, this also means that the top spot for the richest player in NBA history is constantly changing. With new contracts being signed regularly, Brown’s historic deal may soon be surpassed by other players like Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
For now, Jaylen Brown remains at the pinnacle of NBA contracts. Let’s take a closer look at the five largest active NBA contracts, according to Spotrac:
- Jaylen Brown – $304 million
Brown has signed a maximum five-year contract extension that will guarantee him an average annual salary of $60.8 million starting in 2024. This deal not only holds the title for the largest contract in NBA history in terms of total value but also in terms of average annual value.
During the press conference where Brown’s contract was announced, he took the opportunity to address important issues beyond basketball. As a Black man, he expressed his commitment to investing in the local community and acknowledged the wealth disparity in Boston, where the Celtics are based.
“I want to launch a project that aims to bring Black Wall Street to Boston and help bridge the wealth gap,” Brown stated passionately.
Jaylen Brown’s historic contract not only represents his incredible skill and talent on the court but also his desire to make a positive impact off the court.
Highest-Paid NBA Players
Nikola Jokić – $276 million
Denver Nuggets center and newly-minted NBA champion Nikola Jokić, 27, is the second-highest paid player in the NBA. Jokić’s contract is for five years and carries an average annual value of $55 million. Despite his success on the court, Jokić maintains a simple off-court lifestyle in his home country of Serbia, where he is known for his love of horse racing.
Bradley Beal – $251 million
Bradley Beal, who recently joined the Phoenix Suns after being traded from the Washington Wizards, signed a five-year contract last year worth an average of $50 million per season. At 29 years old, Beal is the oldest player on this list and will now be teammates with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on the Suns, a team considered to be a top contender for the upcoming NBA season.
Devin Booker – $234 million
Devin Booker, the talented guard for the Phoenix Suns, secured a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $56 million. At 27 years old, Booker is regarded as one of the league’s best young players and has already made appearances in the NBA Finals. He has also been recognized as a three-time NBA All-Star.
Karl-Anthony Towns – $234 million
Karl-Anthony Towns, another player with a four-year contract extension worth an average of $56 million per season, shares the same deal as Booker. The 28-year-old frontcourt player for the Minnesota Timberwolves is a three-time NBA All-Star, but his name has been circulating in trade rumors over the summer.
While these figures may seem astronomical, it’s worth noting that athletes in other sports like baseball, football, and soccer have even larger contracts. For instance, there are 11 MLB players who have contracts worth more than Jokić’s, with Mike Trout holding a staggering $426 million deal. In the NFL, Patrick Mahomes boasts the biggest contract at $450 million, and Lionel Messi signed a whopping $674 million contract with F.C. Barcelona in 2017.