Many continue to doubt Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown. For whatever reason, Brown is considered one of the most overpaid players in the NBA.
Giving a second option, first option money, is one thing, but Brown has proven that he can be the best player on the court any night of his career.
For a $285 million deal over five seasons, however, that’s where things get tricky. With Jayson Tatum now injured, those questions are even louder than before.
Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation was the latest to name him the most overpaid player in the NBA, noting that with Tatum’s injury, there could be some questions about whether he’s in the long-term future for the Celtics.
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“Brown earned his money forever by winning 2024 NBA Finals MVP honors as the Celtics hung banner No. 18. The Celtics now need to build for the future after Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles in the 2025 playoffs, and it will be fascinating to see if Brown is still in their long-term vision given his massive contract…
“He’s coming off three straight All-Star seasons as one of the NBA’s best sidekicks, but he’s getting paid like a superstar during a time when the Celtics will need to rebuild most of their rotation once Tatum recovers. The Celtics got bailed out of Jrue Holiday’s extension by the Blazers, and they should find a market for Brown too if they ever decide to move him,” he wrote.
If the Celtics were going to move on from Brown, it seems much more likely they would’ve done so by now. Brown is arguably the best second option in the NBA, and while he makes a lot of money, it is what it is at this point.
Players are getting paid more than ever in the league, and if the Celtics didn’t give him that, another team would’ve paid him handsomely.
