On Tuesday (July 25), Jaylen Brown signed a record contract extension with the Boston Celtics that amounts to $303.7 million over the next five years – keeping him in town through the 2028-29 season. It’s the richest contract signed in NBA history and was made official when he passed his physical on Monday.
Brown was drafted by the Celtics with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and has spent the past seven seasons with the team. He’s averaging 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steal in 470 career games and has helped lead Boston to one Finals and three Conference Finals appearances.
“I want to launch a project to bring Black Wall Street to Boston and help bridge the wealth gap. Here, the wealth disparity is Top 5 every single year I’ve been in Boston and nobody really talks about it. I definitely want to put some projects together and I think it will stimulate the entire economy,” he said of the deal.
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Other Richest Contracts in NBA History
The NBA is one of the richest sports leagues in the entire world – in terms of revenue from 2022, they ranked No. 3 in the world with more than $10 billion. The only two sports leagues with more revenue last year were the MLB at $10.8 billion and the NFL at $18 billion. The point is money is abundant in the NBA.
With that said, it’s only right that NBA players are paid accordingly – something we’re starting to see more of in recent years as players sign lucrative contracts every offseason. In fact, that record Jaylen Brown broke a few days ago will likely be broken again several times by the end of next year – it won’t last long.
What makes his contract truly breathtaking is the fact that it’s the first contract to surpass $300 million in NBA history and makes you wonder – how long will it take before we see a $500 million player? We’ll have to wait and see, but for now – let’s take a moment to marvel at the richest contracts in NBA history.
16. Desmond Bane – 5-Year / $207 million
On July 1, 2023, the Memphis Grizzlies signed shooting guard Desmond Bane to a 5-year, $207 million contract extension. He was originally drafted by the Boston Celtics with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies – where he has spent the past 3 years.
Bane is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 31.7 minutes per game – all of which were career-highs. At just 25 years old, he might have some of his best basketball ahead of him, especially if he can live up to the hype of last year and this new contract.
15. Tyrese Haliburton – 5-Year / $260 million
On July 6, 2023, the Indiana Pacers signed point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a 5-year, $260 million contract extension. He was originally drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the No. 12 overall pick in 2020, but was traded to the Pacers ahead of the trade deadline in 2022 before elevating his game.
Haliburton is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 20.7 points (career-high), 3.7 rebounds, 10.4 assists (career-high), and 1.6 steals in 33.6 minutes per game. At just 23 years old, he has his whole career ahead of him and will emerge as one of the best point guards in the league this upcoming season.
14. Joel Embiid – 4-Year / $213 million
On August 17, 2021, the Philadelphia 76ers signed center Joel Embiid to a four-year, $196 million contract extension – which kicks in this season and is now worth a total of $213 million. He was drafted by the team with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, but it’s unclear if he’s going to stick around.
Embiid is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him win MVP honors with 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.7 blocks in 34.6 minutes per game. Despite his dominance in the regular season, his numbers declined in the playoffs (though still good) and his 76ers lost in the Conference Semifinals.
13. Trae Young – 5-Year / $215 million
In August 2021, the Atlanta Hawks signed point guard Trae Young to a five-year, $207 million contract extension – which kicked in last season and is now worth a total of $215 million. He was drafted by the team with the No. 5 pick in 2018 and has established himself as one of the league’s best point guards.
Young is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 26.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34.8 minutes per game (73 games). He has been named an All-Star twice and an All-NBA point guard once – which ultimately led to his pay raise. He still has four years left on his current deal.
12. Zach LaVine – 5-Year / $215 million
In July 2022, the Chicago Bulls signed shooting guard Zach LaVine to a five-year, $215.2 million contract extension – which kicked in last season and has him scheduled to make more than $40 million this year. He was drafted by the Timberwolves with the No. 13 overall pick in 2014 and traded to the Bulls in 2017.
LaVine is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 0.9 steals in 35.9 minutes per game. He was snubbed from the All-Star game, but definitely deserved a spot on that roster. He’s entering his 7th season with the Bulls and hopes to find success in the playoffs.
11. Luka Dončić – 5-Year / $215 million
In August 2021, the Dallas Mavericks signed point guard Luka Dončić to a five-year, $207 million contract extension – which kicked in last season and is now worth a total of $215 million. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 3 overall pick in 2018, but was immediately traded to the Mavericks.
Dončić is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in 36.2 minutes per game. He earned his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance and fourth consecutive All-NBA honor, but is still trying to duplicate that same level of success in the playoffs.
10. Stephen Curry – 4-Year / $215 million
In August 2021, the Golden State Warriors signed point guard Stephen Curry to a four-year, $215 million contract extension – which kicked in last season and has him scheduled to make around $52 million next season. He was drafted by the team with the No. 7 overall pick in 2009 and will likely retire with him.
Curry is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 29.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 0.9 steals in 34.7 minutes per game (56 games). He has struggled with injuries over the past few years, but still finds a way to keep his team in contention – having won four titles and one as recent as 2022.
9. Domantas Sabonis – 5-Year / $217 million
In July 2023, the Sacramento Kings signed big man Domantas Sabonis to a five-year, $217 million contract extension – which kicks in this upcoming season and has him earning $31 million in 2023-24. He was drafted by the Magic, but started his career with the Pacers before they traded him to the Kings.
Sabonis is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 34.6 minutes per game (79 games). He led the league in rebounding for the first time in his career and miraculously helped lead the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 16 years.
8. Karl-Anthony Towns – 4-Year / $224 million
In June 2022, the Minnesota Timberwolves signed big man Karl-Anthony Towns to a four-year, $224 million contract extension – which kicks in at the start of the 2024-25 season (next year) and has him earning more than $36 million in 2023-24. He was drafted by the team with the No. 1 pick in 2015.
Towns is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 33.0 minutes per game (29 games). He saw a drop in numbers last season and missed most of the year due to a Grade 3 calf strain, but should be healthy for the start of the season.
7. Devin Booker – 4-Year / $224 million
In July 2022, the Phoenix Suns signed shooting guard Devin Booker to a four-year, $224 million contract extension – which kicks in at the start of the 2024-25 season and has him earning more than $36 million in 2023-24. He was originally drafted by the team with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Booker is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 27.8 points (career-high), 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.0 steal in 34.6 minutes per game (53 games). He teamed up with Kevin Durant for their first full season together, but he still couldn’t get the job done in the playoffs – losing in the Conference Semis.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 5-Year / $228 million
In December 2020, the Milwuakee Bucks signed power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to a then-record five-year, $224 million contract extension – which began in the 2021-22 season and has him earning nearly $46 million in 2023-24. He was drafted by the team with the No. 15 overall pick in 2013.
Antetokounmpo is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 31.1 points (career-high), 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 32.1 minutes per game (63 games). The two-time MVP was in contention for the award in 2022-23, finishing in third place behind Jokic and Embiid.
5. Bradley Beal – 5-Year / $251 million
In June 2022, the Washington Wizards signed shooting guard Bradley Beal to a five-year, $251 million contract extension – which began last season (before the team traded him to the Suns) and has him earning nearly $47 million in 2022-23. He was drafted by the Wizards with the No. 3 pick in 2012.
Beal is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 34.7 minutes per game. He has battled injuries over the past few years and his numbers have dropped as a result, but he’ll now focus his efforts on winning a title with the Suns.
4. LaMelo Ball – 5-Year / $260 million
In July 2023, the Charlotte Hornets signed point guard LaMelo Ball to a five-year, $260 million contract extension – not just one of the richest contracts in NBA history, but THE richest contract in Hornets’ history. In fact, the team has never signed a contract worth more than $120 million before this deal.
Ball is coming off a season that saw him average 23.3 points (career-high), 6.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists (career-high) , and 1.3 steals in 35.2 minutes per game (36 games). He spent most of the season dealing with a multitude of ankle sprains, but is one of the league’s premier point guards and deserves the money.
3. Anthony Edwards – 5-Year / $260 million
In July 2023, the Minnesota Timberwolves signed shooting guard Anthony Edwards to a five-year, $260 million contract extension. The deal kicks in at the start of the 2024-25 season, which will see his pay increase from $13.5 million in 2023-24 to $35.5 million in 2024-25 – could be more with incentives.
Edwards is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 36.0 minutes per game (79 games) – all of which were career-highs for him. He also earned his first All-Star appearance as he established himself as one of the league’s premier players.
2. Nikola Jokic – 5-Year / $276 million
In July 2022, the Denver Nuggets signed center Nikola Jokic to a five-year, $264 million contract extension – which kicks in at the start of the 2023-24 season and is now worth more than $276 million. He was drafted by the team in the second round of the 2014 draft and will earn $47.6 million in 2023-24.
Jokic is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 33.7 minutes per game (69 games). After winning an MVP in each of the previous two seasons, he ended this year an NBA champion for the first time in his legendary career.
1. Jaylen Brown – 5-Year / $304 million
In July 2023, the Boston Celtics signed shooting guard Jaylen Brown to a five-year, $304 million contract extension – the richest contract in NBA history. At its baseline, Brown is scheduled to earn $52.4 million in 2023-24 and that salary will increase up to $69.1 million in 2028-29 – the final year of the massive deal.
Brown is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw him average 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35.9 minutes per game (67 games). Now that he has his money secured for the next few years, he can turn his focus to making sure his teammate, Jayson Tatum, gets his record-breaking deal.
Players Who Will Join NBA History in the Near Future
With the salary cap rising and players being incentivized to remain with the team that drafts them, Jaylen Brown won’t have the richest contract in NBA history for long. There are several players who will likely contend for that title over the next year, but it’s still an accomplishment Brown should be a proud of.
One player, in particular, is his teammate Jayson Tatum, who is due for a new contract extension next year and is almost guaranteed to re-sign with the Boston Celtics. His deal will be estimated at around $334 million over a five-year period – which is more than $30 million more than Brown’s contract.
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Other players expected to sign bigger deals in the future include Giannis Antetokounmpo (estimated at $334 million over 5 years), Joel Embiid (estimated at $367 million over 5 years), Luka Dončić (estimated at $367 million over 5 years), and Nikola Jokic (estimated at $404 million over 5 years).
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