The New York Times’ Marc Stein reports that “[v]arious teams project” a max extension for Boston Celtics All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum to be inked during this offseason’s free agency period.
While it is hardly news that the team will offer him a max deal, that these teams are expecting it to get done as well signals the perception of a solid connection between the franchise and its cornerstone player at another moment of relative turbulence for the franchise.
The Duke product had a breakout season in 2019-20, cementing his superstar status and nearly pulling off all three of his preseason predictions of making an All-Star team, scoring over 20 points per game and making the NBA finals.
Various teams project these players to land max contracts after free agency begins tonight in 3+ hours:
*Pelicans restricted free agent Brandon Ingram
*Max extensions for Boston's Jayson Tatum and Utah's Donovan Mitchell from the draft class of 2017
*The Lakers' Anthony Davis
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 20, 2020
Should a deal not be in the offing, it’s not a four alarm fire but still it ought to immediately become the team’s most pressing concern.
On Boston’s end there is little room for negotiation, though minor concessions might be had with a little luck.
The most critical goal of the offseason is to get that extension signed given the importance of Tatum to the franchise’s future, but for now all we can do is wait.
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