The Boston Celtics rotation will look different this season. Brad Stevens spent the summer making a string of cost-cutting moves following the Achilles injury suffered by Jayson Tatum.
Due to those moves, Derrick White is expected to step into a significantly larger role for Joe Mazzulla’s team. If preseason is anything to go by, he will likely be the team’s lead ball-handler and secondary offensive option. And with those increased duties, will inevitably come increased production.
During a recent interview with Bobby Manning of “The Garden Report,” Richard White, Derrick White’s dad, detailed why his son could emerge as a star talent in the Eastern Conference this season.
“There’s a lot of superstars now in the league right now that in the beginning they weren’t that,” Richard White said. “I mean (Jalen) Brunson was stuck behind Luka (Doncic) in Dallas and no one thought Brunson would be that way. But if you give him opportunity and the ability to do with a whole lot, then that’s what you get.”
He continued.
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Celtics’ Derrick White Had A Strong Preseason
White played in two of the Celtics four preseason games. However, in those two outings, his potential role within Mazzulla’s rotation became increasingly clear. He spent a significant amount of time with the ball in his hands, and consistently made the right decision based on how the defense was playing him.
The veteran ended preseason with 32 total points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds, 1 steal and 5 blocks. He shot 44% from the field, although, he will need to improve his perimeter-based offense after he went just 4-of-16 from deep.
It will be interesting to see how White shared the ball-handling duties with Jaylen Brown to begin the season. Or, whether White steps into a lead playmaking role, allowing the 2024 NBA Finals MVP to focus on being a play finisher and star offensive weapon.
Jaylen Brown Is Currently Day-To-Day
In Boston’s final preseason game against the Toronto Raptors, Brown left the court after just seven minutes, clutching his hamstring. Since then, the All-Star forward has reportedly been viewed as day-to-day in terms of his recovery.
When speaking to the media on Monday, Oct. 20, Brown provided an update on his current injury status.
âI wasnât too concerned,â Brown told reporters. â ⦠I was fine. Maybe a little tweak, but nothing crazy.â
Brown also confirmed that has was a full participant in Boston’s practice session on Monday. Therefore, Celtics fans will be hoping the explosive forward is cleared to play when the team begins the 2025-26 season against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
The Celtics will need Brown to be healthy and at his best this season. He will be the player designated with leading the franchise until Tatum returns from injury. As such, the coaching staff will undoubtedly be cautious with bringing him back into the rotation. Still, with White on the roster, Boston should have enough offensive upside to remain competitive, both with and without Brown in the rotation.
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