DW player comparison?

[moiso]

Dennis Johnson. Relatively slow playmaker who can defend and hit open shots but not shoot the lights out.

I was also thinking DJ before I saw your post.

[Jvalin]

First name that comes to mind is Marcus Smart. Not exactly the same players, but it's close enough for me.

Btw, Smart just became expendable imo.

[Smartacus]

If the goal is an 8 man rotation it's very difficult to mess with any players except for 7 and 8 and keep the rest of the core intact. That's why this trade seems so strange, it seems like a lot to give up for a player that's not a household name.

What is Derrick White though? He is a productive, low usage, ball mover that has a keen sense for finding seams in the defense and exploiting them. Defensively he is a stout player that commands his space and still takes opportunities for crafty off ball steals and blocks.

His on court presence and demeanor reminds me of Klay Thompson with way worse 3 point shooting but better passing. They both seem to not be the most athletic players but they are capable of using their size and length effectively on offense to create separation and on defense to bottle up faster and more explosive players that they're matched up with.

IMO Derrick White is now our 5th best player but it's closer to say he's 3A 3B 3C with Smart and Robert Williams III. Stevens has now locked in those 3 spots for years on fair contracts, promising continuity in what has been a chaotic roster construction in the J's era. Really happy with the deal.

[stes]

The comparison from a youtube comment I liked: shorter Gordon Hayward with better defense. I don't know, if it's accurate in a vacuum, but for this team he might be perfect for this role.

[Roy H.]

The comparison from a youtube comment I liked: shorter Gordon Hayward with better defense. I don't know, if it's accurate in a vacuum, but for this team he might be perfect for this role.

In terms of offensive role, I was thinking the same thing. He’s not as talented as Gordo on that end, but he should make smart plays without being selfish.

[fingerlakes]

What former Celtic, if any, does Derrick White remind you of?

I get some Delonte West vibes - obviously a better athlete, but a big point guard who hustles and has some of that old Celtic tenacity.

I still don't like the trade, but I'm trying to see the upside.

I was thinking Delonte West as well last night after the game.  If Derrick shot left handed he would really be similar.  They move and play in a similar fashion but I think White is going to be a much better player than West.  He looks stronger and more impactful.

[CBS_Take a Report]

Not a former Celtic but he kind of reminds me of Jimmy Butler.

[Rosco917]

As I've indicated the move was a sideways move to reduce salary.

I like White as a player. I like what he brings to the PG/SG position, he also defends well...only now we also need another player similar to JRich.

The bench is still thin.

[Who]

Peak George Hill

Kinda feels like the George Hill trade here. Doubt Romeo becomes like Kawhii, but he will probably be maximized under the Spurs.

Doubt the Spurs play Romeo any more than C's. He is even more buried by the Spurs depth than he was here. Spurs have four guys that are all playable in front of Romeo at the 2/3.

I wonder if they'll play Romeo at the 4 like they did with DeRozan in order to get enough shooting & ball-handling on the floor.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Peak George Hill

Kinda feels like the George Hill trade here. Doubt Romeo becomes like Kawhii, but he will probably be maximized under the Spurs.

Doubt the Spurs play Romeo any more than C's. He is even more buried by the Spurs depth than he was here. Spurs have four guys that are all playable in front of Romeo at the 2/3.

I wonder if they'll play Romeo at the 4 like they did with DeRozan in order to get enough shooting & ball-handling on the floor.

DeRozan is quite a bit taller.... so maybe whomever goes to the 4 spot can be another wing player, not necessarily Romeo, then insert Romeo as a wing.

[Vermont Green]

It is a hard comp to peg.  I don't have one that feel real accurate but I will offer Terry Rozier.  I know, not exact but I think that is the ball park of player we are getting.

I see White as replacing Schroder and Langford more than I see him replacing JRich in terms of on the court.  I see White as giving us better back up PG minutes than Schroder but also being more of a combo guard (in a good way) so that he can give us solid minutes as the back up SG too (much better than Langford).  Back up SG had been a mash up of Langford, JRich and others.

I see the PG, Combo G, SG role fortified but now we have kind of a mash up to cover the back up SF or wing.  There will likely be a vet pick up to help with that also.  It is a real opportunity for Nesmith although he didn't even play last night.

[RJD1974]

To me, he has the feel of Nate McMillan with more scoring pop. Quiet, always in control, sneakily athletic, a pest defensively, and does all the little things will.

[nickagneta]

I think a great Celtic comp is the guy he is going to be playing alongside...Marcus Smart.

He isn't quite the defender Smart is, but he is a bit of a better shooter and plays at a higher pace. Other than those minor things, the similarities are abundant, especially in both players abilities to positively affect a game with stuff that doesn't always show up in the box score.

[jbpats]

Don't know why but for some reason I was getting Eddie House vibes watching him play

[johnnygreen]

He reminds me of Marcus Smart, in that you just can’t judge him by statistics. You have to see him play, to understand what he brings to a team. It’s difficult to have an opinion on a player like that, where you only see him twice a season, and playing for the opposing team.