Revisiting The Celtics Trade For Derrick White
The Celtics did it. The Larry O’Brien Trophy is coming back to Boston. A lot of key trades got the C’s to this point and we can’t forget to talk about how important Derrick White is to this team. Let’s revisit the trade that landed White from San Antonio.
This trade has aged brilliantly. It’s maybe Brad Stevens’ best trade since taking over the Celtics. When you look at the full totality of the trade, it’s highway robbery. At the time, I was a fan of the trade. I was thrilled to get Romeo Langford and Josh Richardson out of town. I just wasn’t thrilled about the fact that they gave up a 2028 pick swap along with another first round pick. Have to be careful giving up those swaps deep into the future.
White, 29, simply took his game to a new level once arriving in Boston. He always had a knack for simply making the right play. Once he had Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown flanked as his teammates, White took off. White just had his best season averaging 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1 steal, and 1.2 blocks per game across 73 appearances at 32.6 minutes per contest.
He just keeps getting better and better. I think that’s the best thing you can say about White. He went from a D2 player to making the All-Defense second team two years in a row. He’s arguably the best shot-blocking guard in the game. That’s not including the improvements he’s made as a pure shooter. White converted 46.1% of his shots from the floor but a staggering 39.6% rate from 3 during the regular season.
I could run through numbers forever. White isn’t a player that’s defined by numbers. He just does the right thing all the time and you can’t put a price tag on it. He means that much to this team and he’s been a perfect fit day one.
Oh, and he just might be the best shot-blocking guard ever? Did anybody see this block on Dereck Lively?
Thank you for everything, D White. You’re forever appreciated.
Now can we get a contract done, Brad?
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