JJ Redick, in a recent interview with Andrew Schulz on the Flagrant podcast, shared his thoughts on why, compared to previous generations, NBA players nowadays are less likely to go broke. He described the league’s financial situation and how it has evolved to where it is now.
The former 76ers player discussed the financial challenges NBA players of the past faced due to modest salaries and expenses incurred from agent fees. However, he noted that a significant change has come with increased salaries, where he mentioned Jaylen Brown’s $304 million max contract.
There were a few guys that were on their rookie deals that went and signed a max contract right, and it was like four years-58. Jaylen Brown just signed a max contract, five years, $304 million. JJ Redick said
Furthermore, JJ Redick highlighted the exponential growth in the earnings of NBA players, which now includes expanded rookie-scale salaries. He contrasted his rookie deal when he was an 11th pick to what the current pick earns.
In the episode, he touched on the dynamics of wealth management that exists currently in the league, aided by both improved earnings as well as financial education. However, while the lifestyle and expenses still exist, it’d be difficult for the modern NBA player to go broke.
JJ Redick on Jaylen Brown’s supermax contract
Jaylen Brown had reportedly signed a groundbreaking and mouthwatering supermax contract extension worth $304 million after he became eligible for it. A figure that caused a storm all through the NBA community.
Redick discussed the contract extension on an episode of the “Old Man and the 3” podcast. He went as far as to highlight the contract’s value, its purpose within the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, and its effects on middle-class players across the league.
On a recent episode of the “Old Man and the 3” podcast, host JJ Redick discussed Brown’s supermax extension, which shocked a lot of people because they believed he didn’t deserve to earn such an outrageous amount as a result of his position among the league’s top players.
Jaylen Brown is a fantastic player, he’s not a top-five player, right, he’s not a top-10 player, so I think for the casual fan, they’re just like, ‘Oh, that’s insane. Jaylen Brown’s not worth it, Jaylen’s Brown’s not worth more than so-and-so, I can’t believe Jaylen Brown signed for that’. Does Jaylen Brown deserve more to get more money than Jokic or, Giannis or, Steph, or LeBron? The answer is no. JJ Redick said
However, the reason why he was tied to the contract by the C’s was to keep him committed to their cause as he and Jayson Tatum have fought to earn the Boston Celtics a shot at NBA glory. This season has been it, as they are favorites to lift the trophy when the postseason ends.