‘Looking forward to getting a couple more of these’: What Jayson Tatum, Brad Stevens said of Celtics star’s contract extension

Stevens also remarked on Derrick White’s contract extension, saying the Celtics are “very lucky” to have the standout guard.

Jayson Tatum and Brad Stevens will continue their partnership through at least the 2028-29 season. John Thlumacki/Boston Globe
The Celtics made the inevitable official on Saturday.

Boston announced that it signed contract extensions with Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. Both players already agreed to contract extensions with the Celtics, with both reportedly coming to terms on a deal with the team on Monday. However, they couldn’t finalize the extensions until Saturday, per NBA rules.

The team didn’t share the details of either extension, but it’s been reported that Tatum received a maximum five-year, $314 million deal for the largest contract in NBA history. The deal reportedly includes a player option for the fifth year and a trade kicker.

Tatum received the extension after leading the Celtics in points (25), rebounds (9.7), and assists (6.3) in the postseason en route to winning the NBA title in June, becoming the sixth player in NBA history to achieve that feat.

In a video shared by the Celtics, Tatum made it clear that he’s excited to be in Boston through at least the 2028-29 season.

“Happy to be here for another five years, for the long haul, and it’s what we do it for,” Tatum said as he held the Larry O’Brien Trophy. “So, looking forward to getting a couple more of these.”

The Celtics’ decision to give Tatum a record-setting maximum extension followed another first-team All-NBA season for the star forward. The 26-year-old averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, a career-high 4.9 assists, and one block per game. He also shot 47.1 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from 3-point range, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line, helping him earn a third-straight first-team All-NBA nod and a fifth consecutive All-Star honor.

As Tatum blossomed into one of the game’s top players over the last few seasons, the Celtics have consistently been among the NBA’s best. Boston has made it to five Eastern Conference finals and two NBA Finals since it selected Tatum with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, who was Tatum’s coach for the first four seasons of the player’s career, shared a similar excitement that his team’s star will be in Boston for the foreseeable future.

“Jayson is a special person and player, and it’s been a thrill for all of us to watch his entire journey in Boston,” Stevens said in a statement. “He has embraced all that comes with being a great Celtic, and shows consistent and genuine care for every one of his teammates, coaches, and staff across the organization. Despite all the team accomplishments and individual awards, Jayson is committed to constantly improving. He works hard and is extremely driven by the challenges of the game – especially the goal of competing with his teammates for championships.

“We are obviously ecstatic that Jayson chose to extend his contract and add to his amazing career as a Boston Celtic.”

As for White, he reportedly agreed to a four-year, $126 million extension. That was the most the Celtics could offer White this offseason due to the NBA’s contract rules, so he would have been eligible to earn more if he free agency in the 2025 offseason

White, who turned 30 on Tuesday, emerged as arguably the Celtics’ third-best player this season. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and one steal per game during the regular season. He scored more in the postseason, averaging 16.7 points per game while adding 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game.

As White received another second-team All-Defense honor this past season, Stevens remarked on how the guard has embraced the team’s culture in his two-plus years in Boston.

“Derrick is a great player who has immersed himself in the Boston community since joining us in the Spring of [2022],” Stevens said in a statement. “Derrick brings a joy and selflessness to our building every single day. He’s committed to improving and has shown that in each year of his career. More importantly, he cares most about the things that matter, including building great relationships and competing with integrity.

“We are very lucky that Derrick is a Celtic and are thrilled he’ll be here for years to come.”

With the extensions for Tatum and White, the Celtics have their starting five from the 64-win title team locked up through at least the 2026 offseason.

However, the price to keep all five players on board won’t be cheap. The extensions for Tatum and White combined with the current contracts for Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis combined are worth $939 million.

The price to keep the starting five together will be particularly felt in the 2025-26 season. If Boston keeps all five players for that year, it could pay $450 in payroll and repeater luxury tax payments, which would break the $382 million mark set by Golden State this season, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

But that seems to be a problem the Celtics are willing to deal with down the road as they seek to become the first team to repeat as champions since the 2017-18 Warriors.