According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Boston Celtics guard Derrick White is aiming for a contract extension this summer.
“We must also factor in that Derrick White, according to league sources, will be seeking a contract extension this summer.”
The Celtics acquired White from the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline. In the trade, the Celtics shipped out Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, and two first-round picks. Initially seen as a bit of an overpay, the trade could not have worked better for the Celtics.
In White’s two-and-a-half seasons with Boston, he is averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1 block per game. Additionally, he is shooting 45.5% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc in that time. In his only two full seasons with the Celtics, White was selected to the All-Defensive Second Team and finished eighth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024.
The news of White wanting an extension comes less than a year after Jaylen Brown‘s supermax extension. Furthermore, the team has signed Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to contract extensions within the last year as well.
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Dallas Mavericks Were “Concerned” About Facing Derrick White
Heading into the 2024 NBA Finals, the Celtics prepared to face the Dallas Mavericks. Though the Celtics’ star players of Brown and Jayson Tatum led the way, the Mavericks reportedly kept an eye on White as well, according to head coach Jason Kidd.
“The other gentleman that you know we’re all concerned about here in Dallas is White,” said Kidd.
“When you talk about his ability to shoot the three, again he’s one that a lot of times goes under the radar, but when he’s able to knock down threes and he gets a lot of looks at them, it takes their offense to another level. They got a lot of lasers out there, we gotta be able to guard the three but White is the one that we are concerned about,” added Kidd.
Since joining the Celtics, White has provided a boost to the team on both sides of the ball. In addition to being one of the league’s best defenders, White is also an efficient and smart offensive player. He is a great facilitator and can score very efficiently. Because of the presence of Brown, Tatum, and Porzingis, it is easy for teams to overlook White in their gameplan.
In two games in the NBA Finals so far, White is averaging 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block per game. Furthermore, he is shooting 42.3% from the field and 38.9% from beyond the arc.
Extending Derrick White is a No-Brainer
There is no reason for the Celtics not to extend White to a long-term contract. The team is two wins away from bringing home their first NBA championship since 2008, and White is a major reason for that. White, who will turn 30 years old in July, seems to have enjoyed his time in Boston so far. A long-term commitment is what is best for both sides.
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