This extension is the largest in NBA history.
Tatum signed a five-year, $163 million extension with the Celtics in November 2020. All signs point to Boston signing the Duke product to another extension this offseason.
The Celtics written Tatum with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Tatum made five All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams with Boston while averaging 23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists .
During Tatum’s era, the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals four times and the NBA Finals once. Boston lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 Finals in six games.
The Celtics appear to be the championship favorites this season. They have the best record in the NBA.
Tatum, 26, is averaging 27.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season while shooting 47.4 percent from the field, 38.2 percent from beyond the arc and 83 .0% from the free throw line.
Seeing how far the Celtics go in the 2024 playoffs will be fascinating. If Boston doesn’t win it all, the season will certainly be a major disappointment for Tatum and co.
In the first episode of his podcast with the former NBA shooter JJ Redick called “Watch out for the game“, the Los Angeles Lakers Super star LeBron James heaped praise on Tatum.
LeBron highlighted the success Tatum has had since entering the NBA in 2017.
“He’s 25 years old and I think he’s been to the conference finals four times,” LeBron said of Tatum. “I was in the NBA Finals once. He is 25 years old. I didn’t win my first until I was 28. I think Joker (Nikola Jokic) won his first at age 27. I think MJ [Michael Jordan] was also 28 years old.
“I think we have a lot of expectations on JT, but he’s had a lot of wins in his career so far. And obviously, everyone wants to see him get over the hump, but four conference finals and a Finals appearance before the age of 26, that’s — that’s elite.
