The playoff race is in full swing, and Boston's Celtics, who are suffering from Porzingis' injury, must admit that they are still the league's top favourites. The reason is simple, they not only have a duo in the team, but they are also healthy, similar to Holiday and White, but also have the ability to take charge of their own affairs, which greatly relieves the pressure on the offensive and defensive ends. Barring any surprises, they are the league's most promising team to finish on the top podium.
However, the recent news about Tatum's contract renewal has sparked heated discussions among fans. According to salary expert Keith Smith, Tatum has locked in an early contract extension with the Celtics for a five-year, $314.8 million contract. The contract will begin in effect for the 2025-26 season, when Tatum will become the largest player in NBA history. The news undoubtedly got fans excited, but it also sparked some questions and controversy.
Fans have mixed opinions about Tatum's contract extension with a super-cap salary. Some fans believe that Tatum, as one of the core players of the Celtics, has been performing steadily and well, and the contract extension is the reward he deserves. However, there are also many fans who disagree, believing that although Tatum is eligible for a contract extension with a super max salary, his ability does not seem to be enough to match this huge contract.
Indeed, judging from the performance of this season's playoffs, Tatum's stats are not impressive enough. Although he did his best on the court, Tatum's scoring and assist statistics were slightly inferior to other players in the East who had performed well such as Mitchell and Brunson. This can't help but make fans question Tatum's ability and also make them doubt the value of this huge contract.
But we can't dismiss Tatum's value based on data alone. On the basketball court, the player's role isn't just about scoring and assisting. Tatum plays an important role for the Celtics, and his leadership and on-court vision are indispensable assets for the team. In addition, he has been equally impressive on the defensive end, making an important contribution to the team's consistency.
Therefore, we can't dismiss Tatum's value just because his playoff stats aren't impressive. Instead, we should see his overall contribution and potential in the team. If the Celtics can finally win the championship trophy this season, then Tatum is undoubtedly one of the big contributors. In this context, it makes sense to give him a contract extension with a super maximum salary.
And as fans, we want to see the players on the pitch and the effort they put into the team. Whether or not Tatum is able to sign this huge contract in the end, we should respect his choice and hard work. At the same time, we also expect the Celtics to achieve better results in the playoffs this season and bring more surprises and joy to the fans.