Welcome to Boston Derrick White

[PhoSita]

White is a heck of a player on both sides of the ball and can create for our core guys. This is easily a win for Stevens.

yeah I don't get why people are down on him.

They're not down on him.  They're down on overpaying for him.

Richardson, Langford, and a 1st round pick, right?


White is a well rounded combo guard who can defend on a reasonable long term contract.

The Celts gave up a future 1st, a bench wing, and an overpaid failed former lottery pick.


Doesn't seem like an overpay to me.

[Neurotic Guy]

Derrick White just isn’t a player you give up a first round pick for. Period.

A 27 yo veteran who is averaging 14+ pts and 5.6 assists, 87% FT shooter, good D, and a great head of hair.   We'll see how the swap plays out but yes I think a late first sounds reasonable in the deal -- to upgrade from JRich (who I am disappointed to lose).

[todd_days_41]

White is a heck of a player on both sides of the ball and can create for our core guys. This is easily a win for Stevens.

yeah I don't get why people are down on him.

They're not down on him.  They're down on overpaying for him.

Correct.

And.... for months the discussion has been about a lack of roster balance, fit, and shooting. If Smart remains a Celtics, White doesn't bring balance and fit, or shooting.

I can think of a number of things this Cs team could use, and White isn't one of them.

White is a well rounded combo guard who can defend on a reasonable long term contract.

Again, we have this player already, all the way down to the shaky shooting.

[PhoSita]

Derrick White just isn’t a player you give up a first round pick for. Period.

A 27 yo veteran who is averaging 14+ pts and 5.6 assists, 87% FT shooter, good D, and a great head of hair.   We'll see how the swap plays out but yes I think a late first sounds reasonable in the deal -- to upgrade from JRich (who I am disappointed to lose).

I think people are sleeping on the potential of a Smart - White backcourt

[Who]

Derrick White, 26 years old, fifth NBA season.

Career averages of 11 points, 3 rebounds 4 assists with 34% from 3. Has decent size at 6'4. What do people think? I feel like we payed A LOT and I also fear the history of players looking worse when they get out of Pops system.

He is a pretty basic limited offensive player. Strong defensive guard (like Smart but not as good) and plays within his limitations offensively (unlike Smart).

* If he is your 5th best player on the floor, you have a strong team.
* If he is your 4th best player on the floor, it depends on how good your top 3 are. If they are legit stars, you are good. If they are just good starters, you are struggling for .500
* If he is your 3rd best player on the floor, you probably suck.

[moiso]

Derrick White just isn’t a player you give up a first round pick for. Period.

A 27 yo veteran who is averaging 14+ pts and 5.6 assists, 87% FT shooter, good D, and a great head of hair.   We'll see how the swap plays out but yes I think a late first sounds reasonable in the deal -- to upgrade from JRich (who I am disappointed to lose).

The hair must have been a factor.  I think was overlooking that aspect

[Who]

Derrick White just isn’t a player you give up a first round pick for. Period.

A 27 yo veteran who is averaging 14+ pts and 5.6 assists, 87% FT shooter, good D, and a great head of hair.   We'll see how the swap plays out but yes I think a late first sounds reasonable in the deal -- to upgrade from JRich (who I am disappointed to lose).

I think people are sleeping on the potential of a Smart - White backcourt

I see the main potential as not having to play Pritchard or any other small PG who can be targeted and abused on defense.

And the main detriment being the failure to have any PG able to open up the offense with either (1) quickness & dribble penetration (2) creative passing (3) scoring threat ... because both Smart and White are well below average in all 3 areas.

[PhoSita]

Smart, White, Timelord, Theis

Celts now have 4 guys on reasonable mid-tier starter money locked up for several years, plus still control most of their own picks.

Seems like they'll still be in a decent spot to make a trade if a star becomes available.

[Who]

Derrick White just isn’t a player you give up a first round pick for. Period.

He is worth a 1st. I am fine with that. I'd value White around a mid first round draft pick. That 14-18 range. He is a good player. A viable starting guard at either PG or SG. Or a high level bench player.

That future swap in 2028 is scary though. That could be anything. You don't give that up in addition to the 1st for a player like D-White. That is overkill.

[RJ87]

Derrick White just isn’t a player you give up a first round pick for. Period.

A 27 yo veteran who is averaging 14+ pts and 5.6 assists, 87% FT shooter, good D, and a great head of hair.   We'll see how the swap plays out but yes I think a late first sounds reasonable in the deal -- to upgrade from JRich (who I am disappointed to lose).

I think people are sleeping on the potential of a Smart - White backcourt

Defensively, it could be really, really good.

Offensively, there's no spacing.

If you're best lineup is Smart/White/Brown/Tatum/Rob, teams are going to collapse on the Jays.

[Who]

Smart, White, Timelord, Theis

Celts now have 4 guys on reasonable mid-tier starter money locked up for several years, plus still control most of their own picks.

Seems like they'll still be in a decent spot to make a trade if a star becomes available.

I remember when Sacramento were trading Chris Webber after he had broken down. They brought back a couple mid priced role players. I forget who. Mo Taylor? Brian Skinner? Anyway, that part doesn't matter ...

The reasoning was that it would be easier for them to trade those mid-sized pieces and rebuild that way than dealing with Webber. Nothing ever happened. They were stuck with those guys and stuck falling down the standings for next several years.

This is how things normally work in the NBA with multiple mid-priced contracts. Multiple mid-priced contracts don't net you stars. Most teams just want a cap dump and picks / prospects. Not multiple mid-priced role players.

[Who]

Stevens is really going all-in on the defense.

Who needs to play offense when you can play defense.

[PhoSita]

Smart, White, Timelord, Theis

Celts now have 4 guys on reasonable mid-tier starter money locked up for several years, plus still control most of their own picks.

Seems like they'll still be in a decent spot to make a trade if a star becomes available.

I remember when Sacramento were trading Chris Webber after he had broken down. They brought back a couple mid priced role players. I forget who. Mo Taylor? Brian Skinner? Anyway, that part doesn't matter ...

The reasoning was that it would be easier for them to trade those mid-sized pieces and rebuild that way than dealing with Webber. Nothing ever happened. They were stuck with those guys and stuck falling down the standings for next several years.

This is how things normally work in the NBA with multiple mid-priced contracts. Multiple mid-priced contracts don't net you stars.

I think the era you're talking about is really different, for one. It seems like the state of play for what teams expect in big trades changes every few years.

That said, I think a lot depends on what the team you're dealing with wants to accomplish. Are they just trying to save money, or are they hoping to remain competitive?  I think we've seen both kinds of situations play out.


I would agree that if the *only* goal were to set things up for a major trade, then all you really want to have is as many cost controlled young players, draft picks, and short term money as possible.  But ... the Celts actually want to remain somewhat competitive in the present.  That does make some sense given that there's no obvious star who seems likely to be available on the horizon.  At least, nobody worth giving up the farm.

[Silas]

Stevens is really going all-in on the defense.

Who needs to play offense when you can play defense.

Defense wins games!

[Who]

Derrick White is a Derek Fisher sort of player. A Rick Fox. A glue guy on a contender. Good and valuable in his own right.

But not a star. Not a foundational piece. Not someone you build around.

He is a finishing piece to put around your stars.