The Boston Celtics knocked on the door of championship contention again.
But as has been the case over the past decade or so, they just haven’t been able to finish the job.
And now, with Jaylen Brown’s contract extension looming in, there should be a long debate about whether to commit that much money to him or not.
However, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, it shouldn’t even be a question.
Should the Celtics offer Jaylen Brown the supermax?@SIChrisMannix shares his thoughts on Boston Sports Tonight pic.twitter.com/ykKRCRptPL
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 30, 2023
Mannix argues that even though committing $600 million to two players sounds like a lot, it is actually a somewhat standard procedure in the league right now, citing that the Denver Nuggets have Nikola Jokic on a max contract and both Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray on borderline max contracts.
He also cites that the Celtics aren’t going to get a solid return for Brown, as no team will give up that many assets for a player that could simply walk away at the end of the season.
Last but not least, Mannix adds that Brown wouldn’t be untradable somewhere down the line if they sign him to a max contract, so there’s no reason to even doubt that.
Then again, the Celtics might not feel the same way after watching him play in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Brown is an efficient scorer but not an elite shooter or a 30+ PPG kind of guy.
He’s a solid defender but not an All-Defensive kind of player.
His playmaking is subpar and his handles are simply not good.
He might still be worth all that money, but it shouldn’t be a no-brainer.
NEXT: Stephen A. Smith Gives His Honest Thoughts About Joe Mazzulla
