According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Boston Celtics and guard Derrick White have agreed to a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension. Wojnarowski also notes that White’s new contract includes a player option.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White has agreed on a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a player option. Huge offseason priority for the champs. pic.twitter.com/eAMo9yf7oe
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024
Last season, White averaged 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1 steal, and 1.5 blocks per game. Additionally, he shot 46.1% from the field and 39.6% from the three-point line. White was also selected to the All-Defensive Second Team for the second consecutive season and finished eighth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. In large part due to White’s performance, the Celtics were able to finally get over the hump and win their record-setting 18th NBA title after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
White joined the Celtics after the team acquired him from the San Antonio Spurs at the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline. Since joining the team, the Colorado native has progressively improved and has become one of Boston’s most irreplaceable players.
Boston Celtics Sign Core Player to Long-Term Extension
Derrick White is Crucial to the Boston Celtics’ Success
Despite beginning his Celtics career as a backup, White is now one of the most important players on the team. His versatility and well-polished game make him a perfect fit in Boston’s system. He is a fantastic playmaker and facilitator. Furthermore, White is one of the smartest players in the game and rarely makes costly mistakes. White is also an incredibly efficient scorer and excels on the defensive side of the ball. Additionally, he is a good rebounder for his size and plays well with the rest of Boston’s lineup.
After the Celtics went up 2-0 against the Mavericks in the NBA Finals, head coach Joe Mazzulla praised White’s selflessness and ability to “impact the game in any way he can.”
“I think it comes back to he’s not defined by one thing, he’s just a little bit of everything. He can handle in pick-and-roll, he can score in pick-and-roll, he can stay spaced. He’s not defined by scoring,” Mazzulla said. “… He’s another guy that’s selfless and wants to impact the game in any way he can.”
What’s Next for the Boston Celtics Following the Derrick White Extension
Extending White was near the top of Boston’s to-do list this offseason, but it does not mean the Celtics are done for the summer. In addition to White, Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser are eligible for contract extensions this summer as well. Furthermore, the Celtics have already re-signed free agent centers Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta. Currently, Xavier Tillman, Svi Mykhailiuk, Oshae Brissett, and JD Davison are all unrestricted free agents the team must focus on. After declining his player option, it seems likely Brissett will play elsewhere next season. Furthermore, the Celtics did not give Davison a qualifying offer for the offseason. This makes it nearly a guarantee he will not be back in Boston next season.
GM Brad Stevens has been open about wanting to keep the team together in hopes of repeating as champions next season. So far, it seems that he is backing his claims up. It will be worth watching what he does this summer.
