Derrick White joined the Boston Celtics midway through the 2021-22 NBA season. Since then, he’s developed into a key piece of the roster and has had two straight seasons where he’s flirted with All-Star level production to begin the season.
White is entering the first year of a four-year $118 million contract extension. He signed the deal shortly after helping the Celtics lift the 2024 NBA championship. During a recent episode of his “White Noise” podcast, White explained why re-signing with Boston was a no-brainer decision for him.
“The third extension was much, much more relaxed,” White said on his podcast. “Not down to the wire. I didn’t want to play nowhere else. Like I wanted to be in Boston. I’ve always said that. It was pretty simple. Pretty straightforward. And so, signing that, I was super excited just to stay in Boston, to continue to be a Celtic, hopefully do great things in Boston. More years in Boston.”
White continued.
“Like, this is what I want, and so this is what my family wants .Boston has been good. My kids were born in Boston, I kind of developed as a player in Boston, and that’s really what it was about, it’s like what’s going to make me happy? And I knew that was going to be in Boston. I love it in Boston.”
White played in 76 regular-season games for the Celtics last season. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game, shooting 44.2% from the field and 38.4% from 3-point range. A fun fact is that White also finished in the top-10 of Defensive Player of the Year voting last season.
Jaylen Brown Will Lead Celtics Next Season
With Jayson Tatum out for most, if not all, of next season, Jaylen Brown and White will both step into larger roles. Brown will become the Celtics’ primary option on the offensive side of the floor.
During a recent appearance on the “Hold My Banner” podcast, former Celtics forward Malik Fitts backed Brown to impress in his expanded role.
“He’s Finals MVP,” Fitts said. “I don’t know how you can doubt that. That year that he won Finals MVP, you saw the level at which he was playing. He was playing at a really, really high level. Even the year that I was there, we lost to the Warriors. He was playing at a really high level even then.”
Fitts continued.
“And I never really understood the hatred or any of the bad mouthing that they (some fans) had towards Jaylen. But I am curious to see how he will lead the team while Jayson is out. Personally, I think he’ll handle it well. I think he’s going to lead the team pretty well.”
Between Brown and White, the Celtics will have a reliable two-punch combo. Whether that’s enough for the team to stay competitive will remain to be seen.
Anfernee Simons Could Be A Sleeper Addition
According to an anonymous general manager, speaking with Heavy on Sport’s Steve Bulpett, Anfernee Simons could impress for the Celtics next season.
“I bet you he’s their leading scorer,” the GM said. “Even with Jaylen. He’s going to have the ball a lot, and that dude can really score. That offense is going to have to change to accommodate him, and, on the last year of his contract, he’s going to let it fly. As the kids say, he’s a bucket. He is. That dude is a bucket. He can really fill it up. And remember, he was averaging around 20 in the West. What do you think he’s going to do in the Eastern Conference, which is a LOT less competitive? How’s he not going to score and score big?”
Simons joined the Celtics as part of the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. He is on an expiring contract. As such, Brad Stevens will undoubtedly see what opportunities there are for Simons on the trade market. However, if he can impress for Mazzulla’s team, he may play himself into a longer stay at the TD Garden.
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