Jayson Tatum reportedly ‘leaning toward’ max contract extension with Celtics

Rising star Jayson Tatum is reportedly “leaning toward” signing a max contract extension with the Boston Celtics, according to a report.

A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston reported on the “Celtics Talk” podcast that despite the risk of the extension dropping in value due to the coronavirus pandemic, Tatum seems to favor signing it in the offseason. 

The 22-year-old All-Star forward has two years left on his four-year, $30 million contract but the extension could reportedly earn him between $181 million and $217 million.

“Tatum’s got to make some decisions,” Blakely said. “Do I sign for your four- or five-year extension? Or do I play it out and just become a restricted free agent and hope that the cap goes up afterward so then I can sign a max still for more money? From what I’m being told, Jayson at this point is leaning toward signing (a) max deal when he’s eligible and going from there.”

In his third NBA season, Tatum is enjoying the best season of his career, averaging 23.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.8 threes and 1.4 steals per game. He is shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three. He has earned a reputation as one of the NBA’s top two-way players and is widely considered the best defender on one of the best defenses in the league.

“I want to win a championship,” Tatum told ESPN’s Sam Alipour. “I want to be MVP, I want to be an All-Star, I want to be like the next Paul (Pierce) for the Celtics, spend my whole career here and have the City of Boston love me.”