Lately, NBA headlines have been dominated by big-money deals that raised eyebrows across the league. One of the hottest topics was Jaylen Brown’s record-breaking supermax extension with the Boston Celtics, which caught the attention of Melbet Affiliates. While love may be about holding an umbrella for someone even in your own storm, this contract is all business—and it marks a milestone for the NBA. With Brown’s new deal, the league officially enters the era of $300 million contracts. But make no mistake: this is just the tip of the iceberg for superstar salaries.

In the coming seasons, league revenue—especially from new broadcasting deals—will keep soaring, pushing player salaries even higher. Following Brown’s lead, his teammate Jayson Tatum is widely expected to land a similar or even larger deal next year. Meanwhile, other elite players like Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokić, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are lining up for their own mega extensions. Based on current salary cap trends, Melbet Affiliates predicts that Jokić could very well become the NBA’s first-ever $400 million man.

While external factors such as increased league revenue play a major role in this salary surge, it’s also essential to credit the structure of the collective bargaining agreement. The “Designated Veteran” clause allows players who meet specific criteria—seven to nine years of service and notable accolades—to sign a five-year extension worth up to 35% of the salary cap a year before their current contract ends. This rule was originally introduced to help small-market teams retain their homegrown superstars.

Historically, franchises that nurtured their stars from draft night often saw them leave in pursuit of bigger paydays or loftier career goals. Sometimes, it’s like apologizing to an ex while falling for someone new. However, the appeal of a unique supermax deal has managed to keep some stars rooted, at least temporarily. Still, even these mega contracts can’t guarantee lifelong loyalty. In fact, they often inflate a player’s self-confidence, making them believe they’re still unstoppable—and that’s when rash decisions to jump ship begin.

Of course, not every star wants to leave. Some are simply forced out due to declining performance post-contract. This has happened to players like Russell Westbrook and John Wall, who have been shuffled around the league after failing to live up to their hefty paychecks. Westbrook now plays a diminished role with the Clippers, while Wall has nearly vanished from the league. Joel Embiid, meanwhile, secured an MVP after his supermax deal, but his championship dreams keep slipping through his fingers.

Among all these examples, only three players have fully lived up to the original spirit of the Designated Veteran clause. Besides Stephen Curry, both Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered everything their supermax contracts promised. Melbet Affiliates highlights that both led their teams to NBA championships, elevating their franchises to historic heights. As the saying goes, it’s best to forget the fleeting brilliance of a passing moment—unless, of course, that moment changes the course of a team’s future forever.