The NBA has seen a rapid development into a sports giant. While the benefits are evident for such popularity, the increase in cap space has been gigantic. In his nearly 20-year career, NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal made just a touch under $330 million. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics just signed a single player to a contract worth $305 million. Similarly, Anthony Davis reached a $180 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. The number almost doubles the amount Michael Jordan earned in his entire career. Is the money getting too much now? According to an NBA legend, and champion with the Celtics, the real reason is far more significant.

The ridiculous amount that NBA athletes earn is a never-ending discussion. While the usual comparisons revolve around stars from other sports, most notably NFL, the value is already exorbitant. Even comparing a 10-year gap reveals a major increase.

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Even though the number was relatively stationary in the first half of the 2010s decade at around $58 million, it has now doubled to a shade over $136 million. However, that number seems to be mild in comparison to projected contracts for NBA stars.

A recent mock-up predicted that current Finals MVP Nikola Jokic might sign the league’s first $400 million extension. That would just about equal the career earnings of the aforementioned Shaq and Jordan, combined. But, there might be a simple reason for it.

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Divulging into it, Kevin Garnett revealed his conspiracy. “If Jaylen Brown gets $330, you extend AD for $180. Man, what’s this say about the owners’ deal…I don’t give you 330 and not know something…Something big is coming. This gonna be the biggest TV deal we’ve ever seen. Just off the streaming and monetization.”?

Paul Pierce, on the other hand, explained the importance of sports, and why it remains profitable. “The reason the money is up is when you look at TV as a whole…What are watching on TV? Like anything, outside of sports, outside of live sports, we can catch the rerun or the replay. Because you always want to watch live sports. So live sports is the most watched out of anything that you can think about on TV. And that’s why the value of it is so high.”?

Of course, that starts the domino effect, that trickles down to the increased salary. The increased salary incidentally, netted Jaylen Brown the biggest contract in NBA history.

The Jaylen Brown Deal

As mentioned earlier, the NBA salary cap for an entire team stood around $58 million about a decade ago. Today, a single NBA player is going to earn more than that per year. Brown’s record-breaking extension with Boston will see the 2x All-Star earn about $66 million on average.

While his intentions with the money are extremely heartwarming, the money is going to cash-strap the Celtics. Unless, of course, the new TV rights deal does see a remarkable uptick in the salary cap. What is regarded as an overpay might quickly become a smart decision if the new deals do come through.

For the upcoming season, however, the Celtics have some tough decisions to make. With a revamped roster, and loss of the heart and soul of the team in Marcus Smart, can Boston find its groove? And, can they finally win a championship, 15 years after the KG-Pierce duo’s triumph?

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Whether yes or no, Jaylen Brown is going to play a big part in the future of Boston.