Celtics Make $15 Million Move on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Jul 23, 2026 3:06 PM ET

Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics are in transition this offseason after trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers . Announced on July 1 and made official on July 6, Philly sent Paul George and a pair of future first- and second-round NBA Draft picks in exchange for the 2024 NBA Finals MVP.

President of Basketball Operations Stevens was harshly criticized by fans and the media for the return on the Brown trade haul. Regardless of the trade, Boston is still in a position to thrive during the 2026-27 regular season. With four-time first-team All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum leading the way, 2026 All-Defensive first-team guard Derrick White and 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard will look to expand their roles.

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) and forward Jayson Tatum (0).Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Along with the established stars, head coach Joe Mazzulla entrusted several unproven young players with new roles, such as shooting guard Hugo Gonzalez and center Neemias Queta. Another young role player who thrived under an expanded role in Boston last season was shooting guard Jordan Walsh. It appears Stevens took notice of Walsh's play, as Boston has extended him for years to come.

On Thursday, ESPN reporter Shams Charania went to the social media website X to report that Boston had signed Walsh to a contract extension. Charania noted that the deal is a three-year, $15 million contract extension, that the Celtics picked up the 6-foot-6 shooting guard's $2.4 million option for next season, and that the deal keeps him in Boston through the 2029-30 season.

Walsh improved upon seemingly every statistical category last season, setting career highs in games played (68), games started (25) and minutes per game (17.8). In those minutes, the Link Academy high school graduate averaged career highs in per-game stats like points (5.4), steals (0.7), blocks (0.5), rebounds (4.0) and assists (0.8). The former No. 38 overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings also set career highs in field goal percentage (50.9%), three-point percentage (38.4%) and free-throw percentage (77.2%).

"Boston Celtics forward Jordan Walsh has agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract extension with the franchise through the 2029-30 season, sources tell ESPN. Boston picked up Walsh's $2.4M option on next season and adds three more years for their 2023 second-rounder," Charania wrote on X.

Boston Celtics forward Jordan Walsh has agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract extension with the franchise through the 2029-30 season, sources tell ESPN. Boston picked up Walsh's $2.4M option on next season and adds three more years for their 2023 second-rounder. pic.twitter.com/V61hq67AVU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 23, 2026