Michael Jordan‘s financial success transcends his status as the richest basketball player in the world. He has a staggering net worth exceeding $2.2 billion. His Airness played a significant role in building the Air Jordan brand. A name that became a juggernaut in the sports world and remains the richest of any athlete worldwide. In the 1997-1998 season, as his career with the Chicago Bulls was nearing its end, the team responded by offering him an unprecedented 1-year contract worth $33.1 million.
This salary remained the highest in the NBA until the 2017-2018 season when both LeBron James and Stephen Curry surpassed it with their respective deals. Remarkably, Jordan’s $33.1 million salary for the 1997-1998 season even surpassed the average NBA payroll for that entire season. But the recent contract extension of a 24-year-old NBA star overshadows both MJ’s and King James’ contracts.
Boston Celtics Star Surpassing Michael Jordan
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During Jordan’s prime years in the NBA, player contracts were not as lucrative as they are today. Despite leading the Bulls to their first-ever three-peat from 1991 to 1993, Jordan’s earnings from those triumphs amounted to less than $10 million.
However, in a historic move, Boston Celtics‘ standout player Jaylen Brown has reached a momentous agreement with the franchise.
BREAKING: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension with the franchise, per sources. This is the richest deal in NBA history, negotiated by agent Jason Glushon.
Fully guaranteed, with a trade kicker. No player option. pic.twitter.com/MQ6NKILY8Q
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2023
As reported by NBA analyst Shams Charania, Brown has committed to a five-year supermax contract extension worth a staggering $304 million. Wherein, making this extension the most lucrative deal in NBA history. Agent Jason Glushon negotiated the contract, ensuring it was fully guaranteed and includes a trade kicker.
Notably, there is no player option, further solidifying Brown’s dedication to the Celtics for the foreseeable future. This monumental contract cements Jaylen Brown’s status as one of the highest-paid players in the league. And reflects his remarkable talent and value to the Celtics’ organization.
LeBron James’ recent two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the LA Lakers solidified him as the highest-paid player in NBA history. The lucrative deal surpassed all previous records in the league until Brown’s record-breaking agreement.
Top NBA contracts signed by some of the league’s elite players
With Brown’s latest contract extension, he has signed the richest extension in NBA history. But who are the other athletes with the biggest contract extension in the league?
Nuggets center, Nikola Jokić secured a $270 million contract through a Designated Veteran Player Extension, “supermax”. It spans five years (2023-2028), with an impressive Average Annual Value (AAV) of $54,404,000.
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Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal inked a 35% veteran max extension worth $251 million, covering five years (2022-2027), with an annual average value of $50,203,930.
Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo locked in a 35% “supermax” too. It amounts to $228,200,420 for a five-year term (2021-2026), with an AAV of $45,640,084. And just like Giannis, Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker also secured a substantial $224 million contract through a 35% “supermax”. His contract spans four years (2024-2028), with an annual average value of $56,056,000.
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Brown’s deal will remain at the top for the next foreseeable future. Who do you think can break this record?
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