Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown recently shed light on the financial demands of staying in peak physical condition as an NBA player, revealing an annual expenditure between $500,000 and $700,000 for body maintenance.
The insight, shared during a candid conversation on the show Million $ Worth of Game, has reignited comparisons with fellow NBA icon LeBron James, long associated with a famously high personal investment in physical upkeep.
“It’s probably close—remember when LeBron came out and said he spends like a million dollars a year? It’s probably close to that,” Brown stated. “Not maybe a full million, but probably somewhere in between 500 and 700 [thousand], something like that.”
Brown explained.
He emphasized the necessity of a personal team of doctors and trainers to complement the support provided by the Celtics, a critical investment for managing the wear and tear on his 240-pound frame over a demanding 70-game season.
Brown’s expenditure covers an array of essentials: training, nutrition, and an intensive offseason regimen that includes pool workouts. This aligns with his role as a versatile two-way player and his recent five-year, $304 million contract extension signed in 2023, which averages $61 million annually. For Brown, this spending is a strategic move to ensure longevity and excellence on the court.
LeBron James, now in his 22nd NBA season, has set the standard for such dedication. Reports, including a 2018 Business Insider article, have pegged his annual body maintenance costs at $1.5 million, encompassing home gyms, personal trainers, massage therapists, chefs, and cutting-edge recovery treatments like cryo chambers and hyperbaric chambers.
This investment has been credited with enabling James to maintain elite performance into his 40s, tying Vince Carter for the most seasons played in NBA history.
However, the $1.5 million figure has come under scrutiny. In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show reported by Sports Illustrated on March 26, 2025, James addressed the rumors:
“I don’t know where the hell that s— came from… I do take care of my body. But I have no idea where the amount of money came from, but I do invest in my body for sure.”
While he confirmed his commitment to soft tissue work, massages, and advanced recovery methods, James’s statement suggests the widely cited number may be speculative, adding a layer of controversy to the narrative.
Comparing the two stars, Brown’s $500,000 to $700,000 range is substantial but falls short of James’s rumored $1.5 million. The difference may reflect their respective career stages: James, at 40, likely requires more extensive care to defy Father Time, while Brown, younger and still building his legacy, invests to cement his prime years.
Both approaches underscore a growing trend in the NBA, where players like Kyrie Irving and Chris Paul also pour significant resources into personal care teams to optimize recovery and performance beyond what franchises provide.
The debate over LeBron’s exact spending highlights the private nature of such expenditures and the difficulty of pinning down precise figures. Whether the $1.5 million is accurate or exaggerated, James’s acknowledgment of significant investment aligns with Brown’s disclosure, reinforcing the idea that elite athletic maintenance comes with a hefty price tag.
Brown’s comparison to James serves not only to contextualize his own spending but also to shine a light on the financial and physical demands of thriving in the NBA.
