There’s no credible evidence supporting the claim that Jayson Tatum recently declined a $55.5 million offer from the Lakers to stay in Boston after signing a $29.7 million deal in December 2024. Let’s unpack this:
🏀 Tatum’s Contract History
- In July 2024, Tatum agreed to a five-year supermax extension with the Celtics worth up to $314 million—the richest deal in NBA history.
- That means his salary for December 2024 was already locked in as part of this extension—there was no separate $29.7 million deal at that time.
No Evidence of a Lakers Offer
- There are no reliable reports from major outlets—ESPN, The Athletic, SI, etc.—confirming that the Lakers made a $55.5 million offer.
- Media coverage from that period touches on front-office strategies, draft anecdotes (notably about Tatum’s 2017 draft and never working out for the Lakers), but nothing indicates Lakers pursuing him during that time.
Tatum’s Loyalty to Boston
- Tatum has repeatedly expressed his loyalty: he’s a lifelong Celtics player, supermax signee, and cornerstone of the franchise.
- There’s zero substantive reporting that he’s seriously considered leaving or negotiated with L.A.
Rumor Bust Summary
| Claim | Reality |
| $29.7 M deal in Dec 2024 | Misleading—he was under a larger supermax contract signed in July 2024 |
| $55.5 M offer from Lakers | Unsubstantiated rumor with no credible source |
| Turning down Lakers to stay loyal | Aligns with his public stance, but no backstory of an actual offer |
Final Take
- Tatum’s extension: Signed a five-year, ~$314 million deal in July 2024—no separate $29.7 million deal later that year.
- No record of a Lakers offer near $55.5 million in December 2024.
- His commitment to Boston is real, but the story of rejecting a massive L.A. offer doesn’t stand up under scrutiny.
💡 Why This Matters
Misleading narratives like this mix genuine loyalty with fabricated deals, creating a feel-good but unverified headline. Always check reputable NBA sources—there’s none on this one.
✅ Conclusion
While Jayson Tatum is firmly committed to Boston, the specific claim—that he turned down a $55.5 million Lakers offer in December 2024—is false.
If you’d like, I can dig deeper into his contract salary breakdown, salary cap implications, or any other related NBA news!
There’s no credible evidence supporting the claim that Jayson Tatum recently declined a $55.5 million offer from the Lakers to stay in Boston after signing a $29.7 million deal in December 2024. Let’s unpack this:
🏀 Tatum’s Contract History
- In July 2024, Tatum agreed to a five-year supermax extension with the Celtics worth up to $314 million—the richest deal in NBA history.
- That means his salary for December 2024 was already locked in as part of this extension—there was no separate $29.7 million deal at that time.
No Evidence of a Lakers Offer
- There are no reliable reports from major outlets—ESPN, The Athletic, SI, etc.—confirming that the Lakers made a $55.5 million offer.
- Media coverage from that period touches on front-office strategies, draft anecdotes (notably about Tatum’s 2017 draft and never working out for the Lakers), but nothing indicates Lakers pursuing him during that time.
Tatum’s Loyalty to Boston
- Tatum has repeatedly expressed his loyalty: he’s a lifelong Celtics player, supermax signee, and cornerstone of the franchise.
- There’s zero substantive reporting that he’s seriously considered leaving or negotiated with L.A.
Rumor Bust Summary
| Claim | Reality |
| ng—der a larger supermax contract signed in July 2024 | |
| $55.5 M offer from Lakers | Unsubstantiated rumor with no credible source |
| Turning down Lak | Aligns with his public stance, but no backstory of an actual offer |
Final Take
- Tatum’s extension: Signed a five-year, ~$314 million deal in July 2024—no separate $29.7 million deal later that year.
- No record of a Lakers offer near $55.5 million in December 2024.
- His commitment to Boston is real, but the story of rejecting a massive L.A. offer doesn’t stand up under scrutiny.
💡 Why This Matters
Misleading narratives like this mix genuine loyalty with fabricated deals, creating a feel-good but unverified headline. Always check reputable NBA sources—there’s none on this one.
✅ Conclusion
While Jayson Tatum is firmly committed to Boston, the specific claim—that he turned down a $55.5 million Lakers offer in December 2024—is false.
If you’d like, I can dig deeper into his contract salary breakdown, salary cap implications, or any other related NBA news!
