Derrick White not worried about inking extension before season
The Boston Celtics have been one of the NBA’s most active teams this offseason, and extending guard Derrick White remains a priority ahead of the start of the 2023-24 season.
There’s no question how important White has been to the Celtics since he got flipped from the San Antonio Spurs at the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline. He played a crucial role in buoying them to two Eastern Conference appearances and one NBA Finals appearance.
The 29-year-old has two years and $70 million left on his contract, and while those talks have been ongoing, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, White does not appear to be concerned about getting an extension done before the season.
“I love it here,” White told reporters Tuesday. “It’s been great being here, being a Celtic. That will never change, whether I signed before the season or not. So, if it happens, great. If not, I’m still excited for the season to be here.”
"I love it here. That'll never change, whether I sign before the season or not"
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) October 17, 2023
Derrick White discusses the status of a potential contract extension with the Celtics
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Both sides will have until Oct. 23 to work out an extension before the new season begins, since he has multiple years left on his deal. Though once next offseason arrives, if no extension is inked, he will have until June 30, 2025, to work one out with Boston.
It would also make the most sense for White to work out an extension next offseason to maximize the amount of available dollars. White is currently on the books for $18.4 million this season–including $750K in likely incentives (appear in at least 70 reg. games, earn All-Defense) and $500K in unlikely incentives (at least 185 3-point makes; he’s never surpassed 150, making it an unlikely bonus) baked into his current contract–and $19.6 million next season, according to Spotrac.
Under the new CBA, White is eligible to sign an extension worth nearly $90 million (over three years) right now, as opposed to over $120 million (over four years) next offseason, beginning at $27.4 million in 2025-26.
The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists last offseason, earning a well-deserved All-Defensive team nod after appearing in all 82 games (70 starts). He and newly-acquired Jrue Holiday form arguably the fearsome defensive backcourt in the NBA–in addition to stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, two very good defenders in their own right.
The Celtics only have four guaranteed players on contract in 2025-26: Brown, Tatum (player option), Payton Pritchard and Kristaps Porzingis. That does not include rookie Jordan Walsh, whose contract is partially guaranteed that season. So getting an extension done for White is more than doable, especially with how important he’s been to their success.
Should White be extended? If so, for how much? Let us know in the comments!
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