Jaylen Brown's $285 million Celtics contract named worst contract in NBA

Jon Conahan

Jaylen Brown's $285 million Celtics contract named worst contract in NBA image

Feb 25, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) tries to defend during the second quarter at the Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics decided to give Jaylen Brown a massive extension, worth $236.2 million over four years. The contract accounts for 33.02% of the cap, according to Bleacher Report, which is a significant figure. His total contract is five years for $285.3 million.

With Jayson Tatum injured, it further complicates Brown's contract, which many consider one of the worst in the NBA. Bleacher Report recently ranked the eight worst contracts in the league, naming Brown’s the fourth worst. 

“Jaylen Brown is one season into a five-year supermax deal that the Boston Celtics probably wouldn't offer him again had he been eligible for it this summer. This calculus would not change even if Jayson Tatum were healthy.

“Second options can be worth supermax pay grades, particularly when they bring positive value at both ends of the floor. Somewhat quietly, though, Brown has appeared in 70 games (or the shortened-schedule equivalent) only once since 2018-19,” they wrote.

While one could argue that Brown is a bit overpaid because he's a second option, he’s coming off a season in which he averaged 22.2 points. 

MORE: Trade Proposal sees Celtics acquire top Eastern Conference big man

In 2022-23, Brown averaged 26.6 points and shot 49.1% from the field.

It's a bit unfair to suggest that he's overpaid, considering there are other players who are getting paid similar amounts to him who aren't exactly in the same position that Brown is. 

Ultimately, the Celtics won a championship, so it seems fair that he's on the type of contract he is. 

Perhaps the deal won't look too good with Tatum out, but again, that isn't necessarily all of his fault. 

Most teams struggle when their best player isn't healthy.

Jon Conahan

Jon Conahan is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A 2022 Penn State University graduate who majored in journalism, he was also a member of the school's D1 baseball team. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Heavy and other outlets. Jon makes home in North Jersey, but also resides in Cape Coral, Florida, for parts of the year. He’s an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Miami Dolphins and Milwaukee Bucks.