As the NBA season continues to heat up, the Boston Celtics are firmly positioned as one of the favorites to capture a second consecutive championship. With an incredibly deep and talented roster, the Celtics are poised to contend for the title yet again, sitting comfortably at +200 to win it all, per FanDuel Sportsbook. The next closest team, the OKC Thunder, trails at +400, but there is no question about who the top dog is in the East – and arguably the entire league.
Given the current state of the roster, there is no clear need for GM Brad Stevens to make any drastic moves as the February 6 trade deadline approaches. With a well-rounded team featuring superstars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, as well as strong role players like Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Malcolm Brogdon, the Celtics have the championship foundation already in place. So, why even consider shaking things up? One potential reason could be financial flexibility.
The Celtics currently rank as the third-most expensive team in the NBA this season, and next year, they’re projected to have the largest payroll in the league. Add in the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and the second apron that Boston now finds itself in, and the team will face a hefty tax bill unless they find ways to trim payroll in the next two seasons.
This financial reality has led to several mock trade proposals in recent weeks, all with the aim of lightening the Celtics’ tax burden. One such proposal, put forth by Colin Keane of The Sporting News, suggests that the Celtics should trade Derrick White to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Kevon Looney.
On the surface, this trade might look like a good deal for Boston. Kuminga and Podziemski are both promising young talents, and Looney brings a solid, proven presence to the frontcourt. Additionally, the Celtics would save some money in the short term – a factor that could prove appealing given their current financial situation. But as tempting as this trade may seem from a purely fiscal standpoint, it would be a colossal mistake for Boston.
Derrick White’s Value is Underrated
It’s easy to overlook Derrick White’s impact when you’re talking about a roster with superstars like Tatum and Brown. White may not be Boston’s top scorer, but he has been absolutely crucial to their success. At best, he’s probably the third-best player on this roster, but his all-around contributions go far beyond what the box score reveals.
White’s defensive versatility alone is worth its weight in gold. Few guards in the NBA can defend four positions at an elite level the way White can. His ability to switch seamlessly on defense, guard the perimeter, and even protect the rim makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses. That kind of defensive presence cannot be easily replaced.
On top of his defense, White has also become a vital offensive piece for Boston. Averaging 3.6 threes per game at nearly 40% shooting, he provides crucial spacing on the floor and can be counted on to knock down big shots when needed. His offensive efficiency, combined with his defensive impact, makes him a near All-Star level player who contributes on both ends of the floor.
Now, consider what Boston would be losing in this hypothetical trade. While Jonathan Kuminga is a tantalizing athlete with huge upside, he is still very much a work in progress. Yes, he’s shown flashes of brilliance as a two-way player, but he hasn’t consistently proven himself at the NBA level. Podziemski is an intriguing young guard with solid playmaking skills, but he’s not yet proven to be a game-changer at the professional level. Looney is a solid contributor with a championship pedigree, but he’s also a traditional center who doesn’t offer the same positional versatility that White brings to the table.
In short, Boston would be trading a near All-Star caliber player who impacts the game in multiple ways for unproven young talent and a center who doesn’t fill the void left by White’s all-around skill set. The financial savings may be attractive in the short term, but the cost of losing White’s all-defense, all-around contributions would be a massive blow to Boston’s championship aspirations.
The Bottom Line
While it’s true that the Celtics are navigating a complicated financial situation with the new CBA rules, trading Derrick White for the sake of saving money is not the solution. White’s value to this team goes far beyond what he brings in terms of salary or potential trade return. He is a key piece to the Celtics’ current championship window, and losing him would hurt Boston’s chances at winning it all this season and beyond.
The Celtics’ front office, led by Brad Stevens, needs to be careful not to sacrifice future success for short-term financial relief. If the goal is a second consecutive title, White’s skill set – on both sides of the ball – is far too valuable to part with. It’s a move that should remain off the table as the Celtics look to defend their crown.
