Jayson Tatum agrees to massive five-year extension with Celtics

Jayson Tatum signed a huge contract extension with Gordon Hayward’s money.

It was largely expected that Tatum, as well as Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, would sign a five-year extension worth a lump sum, keeping him in Boston for the long-term. Tatum is just 22 years of age, having been selected third overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. The first pick of that draft, Markelle Fultz, is already on his second team after the 76ers dealt him to the Orlando Magic. The Celtics finessed the Sixers into trading for that No. 1 spot, and ended up getting the player they wanted as well in the then-former Duke star Tatum.

Years later, and Tatum is an All-Star talent, and potentially has MVP potential. Danny Ainge can scout college talent with the best of them, and Tatum was the right selection at the time.

Can the Celtics win an NBA Title with Tatum as the best player?

By signing Tatum to that extension, the Celtics are liming their team-building potential for the future. However, Boston parting with Gordon Hayward opened up new opportunities for them, and they appear willing to trade Kemba Walker, too. Having Tatum — and hopefully soon Jaylen Brown — locked up long-term is far more important than any short-term runs to the conference finals. And, as we saw last year, they have the potential to make such a run as constructed.

Tatum took a big jump last season, scoring 23.4 points per game as the Celtics leading offensive option. He upped his points-per-game average by eight, and increased his play-making tools as well. No longer is he a mere off the dribble talent. Instead, he can create plays for others, and that’s where the Celtics are most excited about his growth.

That growth is what made this contract an easy decision.