The \$315 Million Question: What Is Jayson Tatum's Salary For 2025 And Beyond?

The financial landscape of the NBA was fundamentally altered in July 2024 when Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum signed a historic contract extension that immediately shifted the focus to his future earnings. The question of "Jayson Tatum salary 2025" is a fascinating one because it straddles two different financial eras: the final year of his previous deal and the beginning of the largest contract in NBA history, a massive Supermax extension. As of the current date, December 14, 2025, Tatum is in the first year of this unprecedented deal.

The definitive answer to the question depends on the specific NBA season you are referring to. For the 2024-2025 season, Tatum was still under his previous rookie-scale extension. However, for the 2025-2026 season, which is the first year of his new Designated Veteran Extension, his salary explodes to a figure that redefines the term "max deal." This article breaks down the exact figures, the contract's structure, and the massive salary cap implications for the Boston Celtics.

Jayson Tatum: Full Biography and Career Milestones

Jayson Christopher Tatum Sr. is one of the most decorated and accomplished players of his generation, establishing himself as the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics franchise since his arrival. His journey from a highly-touted college prospect to an NBA megastar is marked by consistent excellence and numerous accolades.

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• Full Name: Jayson Christopher Tatum Sr.
• Born: March 3, 1998 (Age 27 as of late 2025)
• Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
• College: Duke University (Played one season under Coach Mike Krzyzewski)
• NBA Draft: 2017, 3rd overall pick by the Boston Celtics
• Current Team: Boston Celtics (2017–Present)
• NBA All-Star Appearances: 5x (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• All-NBA Selections: 4x (including multiple First Team selections, which qualified him for the Supermax)
• Olympic Gold Medalist: 2020 Tokyo Olympics (Team USA)
• NBA Finals Appearance: 2022
• Major Career Highlight: Leading the Celtics to multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances and securing the largest contract in NBA history.

Tatum’s consistent performance, especially earning multiple All-NBA First Team selections, was the key contractual trigger that made him eligible for the massive Designated Veteran Extension, commonly known as the Supermax.

The Shocking Salary Jump: 2024-2025 vs. 2025-2026

The confusion surrounding Jayson Tatum’s salary for "2025" stems from the timing of his new deal. The massive Supermax extension he signed in July 2024 did not begin immediately; it was structured to kick in once his existing contract expired. This means his earnings for the two seasons straddling the 2025 calendar year are dramatically different.

Jayson Tatum's 2024-2025 Season Salary

For the 2024-2025 NBA season, Jayson Tatum was playing on the last guaranteed year of his previous five-year, \$163 million rookie-scale extension. His salary for this season was a substantial but comparatively modest amount, which was crucial for the Celtics' salary cap management to keep the core together for their championship push.

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• 2024-2025 Salary: \$34,848,340

This figure was the final stepping stone before the financial behemoth of the Supermax contract took effect, marking the end of his "old" money and the beginning of his record-breaking earnings.

Jayson Tatum's 2025-2026 Season Salary (The Supermax Begins)

The 2025-2026 NBA season is the moment the new contract—the largest in NBA history—officially begins. This is the figure that most accurately reflects his earnings for the first full year of his new deal, which is the most relevant answer to the "Jayson Tatum salary 2025" query in the context of his long-term contract.

• 2025-2026 Salary (First Year of Supermax): Approximately \$54,126,450

This nearly \$20 million increase in a single year reflects the maximum allowable 35% of the projected NBA salary cap for a player with seven to nine years of service who has earned All-NBA honors.

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A Deep Dive into the \$315 Million Supermax Extension

Jayson Tatum's five-year Designated Veteran Extension is more than just a large number; it is a meticulously structured deal that sets a new financial precedent for the league and guarantees his place in Boston for the foreseeable future. The total value of the extension is projected to be around \$313.9 million to \$315 million, solidifying its status as the richest contract ever signed in NBA history.

Contract Structure and Annual Raises

The Supermax contract is structured to give Tatum the maximum allowable raises each year, which is 8% of the salary in the first year of the extension. This mechanism ensures his earnings continue to climb dramatically throughout the life of the deal, even as the NBA's salary cap continues to rise due to new television deals and league revenue.

The projected annual breakdown of the five-year deal, which runs from the 2025-2026 season through the 2029-2030 season, is staggering:

• 2025-2026: \$54,126,450
• 2026-2027: \$58,456,566
• 2027-2028: \$62,786,682
• 2028-2029: \$67,116,798
• 2029-2030: \$71,446,914 (Player Option)

If Tatum exercises his player option for the final year, his earnings for that single season will surpass \$71 million, a figure that was once unimaginable in professional basketball.

The Celtics' Salary Cap Reality: Living in the Second Apron

Securing a talent like Jayson Tatum for his prime years is a non-negotiable move for the Boston Celtics, but it comes at a massive cost that has significant implications for the team's future roster construction. With Tatum's Supermax extension, combined with the earlier Supermax extension for his teammate Jaylen Brown, the Celtics have committed over \$600 million to their star duo.

The financial commitment means the Celtics' payroll is expected to "swell to a record" amount, pushing the team deep into the territory of the NBA's Second Salary Apron. The Second Apron is a punitive level of the collective bargaining agreement that imposes severe restrictions on teams, including:

• Limited ability to trade future first-round picks.
• Restrictions on signing players bought out by other teams.
• No access to the Mid-Level Exception for taxpayers.

By committing to two Supermax contracts, the Celtics are signaling a "championship-or-bust" mentality, betting that the generational talent of Tatum and Brown is worth the restrictive financial constraints.

The team's general manager will face constant pressure to find value in minimum contracts and shrewd trades to surround their highly-paid stars—Tatum, Brown, and Jrue Holiday—with enough talent to compete for the NBA Finals year after year, all while navigating the most expensive payroll in the league.