Boston Celtics: The case for and against building around Brown and Tatum

The case for building around Brown and Tatum

As of right now, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are the only two players on the Boston Celtics I’d give a max contract to. Brown received his extension last offseason to the tune of $115 million over four years, and it was seen at the time as an overpay. Jayson Tatum’s eventual supermax will be more than justified given his steps forward as the undisputed leader of the Cs offense.

Other than those two, though, there are several Celtics that already own–or are projected to one day possess–max contracts. Gordon Hayward is the most egregious example of a non-superstar owning a cap-crippling salary, but even Kemba Walker’s four-year, $140 million commitment last summer is appearing shakey after word came out that Walker was never fully healthy in the bubble. 

Throw in Marcus Smart’s potential hefty extension in 2022 and Daniel Theis’ raise next offseason, and you have a roster that is only going to progressively cost more in luxury tax bills when it is all said and done.

Is it worth it? The Cs weren’t a convincing juggernaut as it stands. Perhaps it could make more sense for Ainge to explore the trade market using Hayward’s expiring deal to land a third star, but if it takes the other non-Brown/Tatum members of the core to get a deal done for a Giannis Antetokounmpo type of player…who says no?