Celts get Derrick White for Richardson, Langford, #1, 2028 pick swap

[CelticsWhat35]

Kind-of a lame time to bring it up, but yeah, I think everybody is happy with White's production last night.

The problem with White, though, was his rough playoff performance last year. I'm not saying JRich would have lit it up, but we know for a fact that White did not. It's entirely possible switching the two could have equaled a Title for us. We were leading the Warriors in game 4 with under 5 minutes to go and could have gone up 3-1 in the series. Certainly not placing all the blame on White, but any number of things could have gone different in that game and we would be talking about the champion Cs right now.

Edit: Just looked it up, White went 4-12 (3-5 from 3!) in game 4 with 1reb/1ast and was a -19. Again, I realize you can't pin it all down to one game since any number of things could have gone differently throughout the rest of the playoffs, but it's not like White otherwise killed it.

Definitely an odd time to bring it up and even more ridiculous to assert that Josh Richardson would’ve brought them a title.  We weren’t winning anything with the way Tatum played in the Finals, pure and simple.

Not an odd time to bring it up at all. Nick posted an I told you so message after White had one good game; I was just explaining that it's going to take a lot more than that for people to completely change their minds about the trade since the reason he was brought in (to bolster our playoff rotation), he kind-of failed at.

And I don't even hate the trade. White is a productive, hard-working player who fits well within our offensive and defensive schemes. I am just not going to celebrate after one good game, but obviously glad he came through the way he did last night. We are going to need him.

I didn’t see the prior post, but I agree it doesn’t make sense to make a decision about the trade from one game.  It doesn’t make sense to revisit this thread, period

[nickagneta]

Kind-of a lame time to bring it up, but yeah, I think everybody is happy with White's production last night.

The problem with White, though, was his rough playoff performance last year. I'm not saying JRich would have lit it up, but we know for a fact that White did not. It's entirely possible switching the two could have equaled a Title for us. We were leading the Warriors in game 4 with under 5 minutes to go and could have gone up 3-1 in the series. Certainly not placing all the blame on White, but any number of things could have gone different in that game and we would be talking about the champion Cs right now.

Edit: Just looked it up, White went 4-12 (3-5 from 3!) in game 4 with 1reb/1ast and was a -19. Again, I realize you can't pin it all down to one game since any number of things could have gone differently throughout the rest of the playoffs, but it's not like White otherwise killed it.

Definitely an odd time to bring it up and even more ridiculous to assert that Josh Richardson would’ve brought them a title.  We weren’t winning anything with the way Tatum played in the Finals, pure and simple.

Not an odd time to bring it up at all. Nick posted an I told you so message after White had one good game; I was just explaining that it's going to take a lot more than that for people to completely change their minds about the trade since the reason he was brought in (to bolster our playoff rotation), he kind-of failed at.

And I don't even hate the trade. White is a productive, hard-working player who fits well within our offensive and defensive schemes. I am just not going to celebrate after one good game, but obviously glad he came through the way he did last night. We are going to need him.

I didn’t see the prior post, but I agree it doesn’t make sense to make a decision about the trade from one game.  It doesn’t make sense to revisit this thread, period

First off, it wasn't an I told you so post, more an honest question. And it was more of a question based on what we have seen since the beginning.of preseason with White. He appears a very different player since the start of this season. His threes are dropping. He is driving with purpose. He isn't tentative. His decision making is instantaneous. His defense is much better.

He appears to be a guy that wasn't traded mid season to a new team with a very pregnant wife that doesn't have to find permanent housing and new doctors all while having to leave his pregnant wife alone in a new city when he goes on the road. In other words, very distracted and letting off court personal stuff affect his own court play. He looks comfortable and I think it shows.

So I wanted to know if people that were very against the trade were seeing what I saw and if their opinions might be different. Apparently the answer is no and some opinions can't be changed.

[Goldstar88]

Anyone maybe want to change their opinion about this trade?

Just checked ESPN. Looks like Richardson in 21mpg is averaging 13.5pts, 2rebs, 1ast while shooting 50% from the field and 54% from 3pt.

Shows White at 24.5mpg and averaging 6pts, 5rebs, 2.5ast while shooting 37.5% from the field, 40% from 3pt.

Both are useful players and comparable, IMO. I like White, but the C’s have a bunch of 1/2’s and could use a Wing like Richardson. He would have been a good use of the TPE.

That's without White's best game (the current one). Richardson's stats without his best game would be quite bad

Richardson has played 66mins through 3 games and scored 27, 0, 11.

White has played 86mins through 3 games and scored 2, 10, 27.

I think they are pretty comparable.

Well what more proof is needed - 3 games in which they’ve scored similar points. 

The only thing that kept JRich in the conversation last year was 3-point shooting.  We’ll see if DW can maintain a decent 3-point %. If so, Derrick helps the team much more. My eyes tell me White does more for this team than JR is capable of.

”Richardson has gone for 0, 27, and 11. That kind of streakiness would drive us mad compared to White's steady hand”

It was more of a response to this. White hasn’t been consistent either.

[droopdog7]

Anyone maybe want to change their opinion about this trade?

Just checked ESPN. Looks like Richardson in 21mpg is averaging 13.5pts, 2rebs, 1ast while shooting 50% from the field and 54% from 3pt.

Shows White at 24.5mpg and averaging 6pts, 5rebs, 2.5ast while shooting 37.5% from the field, 40% from 3pt.

Both are useful players and comparable, IMO. I like White, but the C’s have a bunch of 1/2’s and could use a Wing like Richardson. He would have been a good use of the TPE.

That's without White's best game (the current one). Richardson's stats without his best game would be quite bad

Richardson has played 66mins through 3 games and scored 27, 0, 11.

White has played 86mins through 3 games and scored 2, 10, 27.

I think they are pretty comparable.

Ricahrdson doing this for a tanking team while white is doing this for a contender.  Plus, white does a whole lot more than richardson and plays his usual glue role much better than rich.

[GetLucky]

Anyone maybe want to change their opinion about this trade?

Just checked ESPN. Looks like Richardson in 21mpg is averaging 13.5pts, 2rebs, 1ast while shooting 50% from the field and 54% from 3pt.

Shows White at 24.5mpg and averaging 6pts, 5rebs, 2.5ast while shooting 37.5% from the field, 40% from 3pt.

Both are useful players and comparable, IMO. I like White, but the C’s have a bunch of 1/2’s and could use a Wing like Richardson. He would have been a good use of the TPE.

That's without White's best game (the current one). Richardson's stats without his best game would be quite bad

Richardson has played 66mins through 3 games and scored 27, 0, 11.

White has played 86mins through 3 games and scored 2, 10, 27.

I think they are pretty comparable.

Ricahrdson doing this for a tanking team while white is doing this for a contender.  Plus, white does a whole lot more than richardson and plays his usual glue role much better than rich.

White can also reliably handle the ball, which Richardson absolutely could not when he was here. He is also averaging nearly twice the assists (3 vs 1.7) and 3 more rebounds (4.7 vs. 1.7).

[RodyTur10]

I loved the trade at the time, but I assume everybody is in agreement that this was a great call by Stevens.
Arguably White is our best guard now and he contributes to winning on so many levels.
Fantastic player.

Just like Brogdon and Muscala are excellent additions. With the way Stevens is adding players who are underappreciated  I think for example Kyle Anderson and Immanuel Quickley are on the shortlist as well.

[trickybilly]

For those of you who care about this type of thing, White is an absolute RAPTOR darling:

2019 -- +1.2 offense, +2.2 defense
2020 -- +1.4 offense, +3.2 defense
2021 -- +0.8 offense, +3.4 defense

If you buy that's meaningful, he's a huge upgrade. I always put a lot of salt on that, but it's worth noting when the advanced stats wizards love a guy.

Curious to check back in on his RAPTOR

[Celtics2021]

For those of you who care about this type of thing, White is an absolute RAPTOR darling:

2019 -- +1.2 offense, +2.2 defense
2020 -- +1.4 offense, +3.2 defense
2021 -- +0.8 offense, +3.4 defense

If you buy that's meaningful, he's a huge upgrade. I always put a lot of salt on that, but it's worth noting when the advanced stats wizards love a guy.

Curious to check back in on his RAPTOR

Last year he was +0.4 off, +3.1 defense.
This year he’s +1.1 offense, +2.8 defense, #2 overall on the team.

[gouki88]

Last fortnight he’s been awesome. Maybe he isn’t so much worse than OG…

[timpiker]

One of the all-time greatest C's trades...  Red would be so proud of this one. 

[Vermont Green]

One of the all-time greatest C's trades...  Red would be so proud of this one.

I wouldn't go that far.  We gave up a lot to get White.  Richardson, Langford, and a pick (Blake Wesley), and possibly but not likely a pick swap.  We got the best player in the deal so I guess we "won" the trade but I don't see this as a lopsided trade.

White has been great and seems to be getting more comfortable still.  Very important player on the team.  No doubt a great trade in terms of the GM targeting an underappreciated player.  But not an all time great trade.

[Donoghus]

I said in the game thread last night that Brad knew what the hell he was doing there.

This kid has been incredible for the Celtics.   He's been a pillar and been a boon for team depth.  Plays real hard on both ends of the court and nice to see his shot falling.

[G-Bones]

White is one of my favorite Celtics.  Reminds me of Dennis Johnson, a player who unselfishly gave up shots for the good of the team.  White has been solid on offense and defense and hustles like no tomorrow.  Can’t wait to see him in the playoffs.

[kraidstar]

White is one of my favorite Celtics.  Reminds me of Dennis Johnson, a player who unselfishly gave up shots for the good of the team.  White has been solid on offense and defense and hustles like no tomorrow.  Can’t wait to see him in the playoffs.

Agree on the DJ comp. TP

[ozgod]

Anyone changed their minds on who won this trade?