On Sunday night, when his record-breaking contract extension with the Celtics was finally complete, Jaylen Brown found himself giving back.
The moment wasn’t celebratory in a traditional sense, but was perfectly Brown, who has committed himself to creating social change through his 7uice Foundation throughout his time in Boston. The deal was done as he was participating in his Bridge Program at MIT, where he’s been holding a camp for Black and Brown high school students in Boston.
“I was in the middle of a robotics session,” Brown said. “I was able to put my phone down and just get right into class with the Bridge students.”
Brown hasn’t had much time to look at his phone this week, a life-changing one as he officially signed his NBA record five-year, $304 million supermax extension with the Celtics that was a long time in the making – even if it was longer than expected.
Brown became eligible to receive the supermax on July 1, but it took more than three weeks to get the deal completed. In Brown’s mind, it was destiny that it came this week, during the middle of his Bridge Program camp. Typically, Brown would have had a formal press conference to announce the extension at the Auerbach Center. But the timing allowed him to share the moment with his students Wednesday at MIT, where he showed them what can be possible as he aims to create more than just a legacy on the basketball court, and create a better world.
Surrounded by his campers, civil rights leader John Carlos, Celtics owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and coach Joe Mazzulla, Brown sat at a table inside the MIT Media Lab and officially put pen to paper on his monumental contract.
“I think we probably would’ve all liked to get the deal done a little bit earlier, but this is the day it fell on, and I knew I was going to be here, spending most of my time,” Brown said. “I thought it was fitting. …
“For it to be here, I think it was just divine timing.”
While there may have been a delay in the negotiations, both sides had a clear desire to get a deal complete.
“I think a lot of times, when you talk about a relationship that you have with individuals, you can just talk to them normally and direct ‘cause I’ve known these guys for seven-plus years,” Brown said of the negotiations. “And a lot of times when financial stuff kind of gets into play, it gets a little bit more sensitive or etc. But I thought from my standpoint, they understood where I came from, I understood where he came from. It was all about being in the place where it made sense for everybody and I was glad that we were able to finish it.”
Brown, in the Celtics’ view, is a player who has improved in every season since he was drafted No. 3 overall in 2016 and is continuing to ascend after his career All-NBA season in 2022-23. While $304 million is a massive, unprecedented commitment, there didn’t seem to be any pause from the Celtics about giving Brown the fully guaranteed deal. They see him as an embodiment of what the franchise stands for, a fixture as they continue to chase their 18th championship.
As they finished up negotiations on Sunday, Grousbeck said the late Bill Russell was a big topic of conversation as Brown and the Celtics continue to honor the franchise legend’s impact on and off the floor.
“Ever since I met Jaylen seven years ago, I’ve been completely, I guess, blown away impressed by his intensity, his commitment, his passion,” Grousbeck said. “And it’s not about him. It’s about other people. It’s about making his teammates the most successful, but even more it’s about being in the community and lifting everybody up. …
“It’s not just about a contract or money or playing basketball. It’s about making a difference in life. And that’s what Jaylen embodies to me and to my partner Steve, and others and to all of us here at the Celtics. He’s a true Celtic. He’s a Celtic for years to come. We live and burn with a desire to make the world a better place, and as well, not to be forgotten, to win banner 18. And this is the next step to that.”
Brown said he wants to use the money to launch a project to bring Black Wall Street to Boston, and attack the wealth disparity in the city.
He appreciates the Celtics’ commitment to him.
“It’s much of an appreciation for me for the investment and commitment that I’ve gotten from the city since I’ve been here and I don’t take that for granted,” Brown said. “A lot of times we can pick and choose and point out situations that may not have gone your way, but the overall appreciation to be here and be in this position is fantastic.
“So for me to be able to go out there every single night and play but also represent causes and things that I stand for in the community, represent being a voice for the voiceless, to me it gives my life and my meaning so much more purpose. So to me, I’m excited. I’m excited to represent this city, this organization. I’m excited to play.”
Brown, of course, is committed to success on the court as much as the community, and he understands the pressure that comes with a $304 million contract to bring a championship to Boston.
Brown turns 27 in October and this contract will cover the prime of his career. Even with the losses of Marcus Smart and Grant Williams, Brown believes the Celtics are positioned to win a championship. There will be a heavier burden, a brighter spotlight on him now – but he’s ready for the moment.
“I think I look at life as stages and degrees,” Brown said. “And everything that I kind of went through throughout my career has kind of prepared me for each stage. So I think all of the life circumstances, the experiences I’ve had through this organization, experiences I’ve had in the community, have all prepared me greatly to be in this spot.
“I don’t shy away from pressure. I know what the demand is. I know what the expectation level is. I know the work that is required. Everything about me is about work. So I look at it as another challenge to get better, another challenge to improve. I don’t think nobody has seen my best yet. So God willing I’ll be able to put my best foot forward and do what I do best.”