Update on D. White

[Silas]

I'm interested in your current thoughts about D White, and if you think the trade was worth it. 

I've gone back and looked at threads since the trade deadline to review some of the discussions about White.  Grading the trade and comparing him to Richardson are the two threads that dominate.  A short time after the trade the conversations seemed to focus on whether the Celtics overpaid by giving up Richardson, Langford, and picks (specifically the pick swap).  I think most who commented felt that White was strong on defense but maybe not as strong as Richardson.  On offense, many thought ball movement was his strength and that he was a better passer than Richardson.  White's biggest fault was his poor shooting, specifically shooting 3s. 

So after 23 games with the Celtics and comparing his stats to his career, he has clearly under performed when shooting 3s (28.6% vs 33.8%).  Interestingly he is very close to his career stats on min, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, and points.  His game has helped the Celtics going 18-5 (60+ win pace) since the trade.  But his 3s were not falling.  It's taken a while but in the past 6 games White has provided the Celtics what they were looking for in a player that is strong on both offense and defense, and in my opinion a player significantly better than Richardson.  The fact that he is under contract for another 4 years vs Richardson who I believe is a free agent next year is also significant. 

Check out his stats for his last 6 games, in particular his 3pt shooting:
31 m/g
13 pts/g
3.3 reb/g
4.7 assists/g
44.2 FG%
50 3FG%  4 shots/g
91 FT%  3.8 shots/g

Will he continue to shoot 3s at this rate through the playoffs?  Hard to say, but probably unlikely.  Anything around 40% would be a significant benefit to the Celtics.  Remember his strengths are defense and ball movement.

So, are you happy with the trade, and do you like D White playing a key role for the Celtics now and for the next few years?

[aefgogreen]

I think his numbers are going to be up and down this year as he's still learning the system.  My inclination is to give everyone's favorite answer and put off my decision until he has a full training camp to integrate himself.  But if i had to make a choice, I would say it's worth it as his defense will be an asset in the playoffs.

[Vermont Green]

This is not one of those trades that is going to be a home run or a strike out.  It is a trade that you hope makes you incrementally better in the short term and that fits in with your long term plan for the team.  It seems to have hit on both of these so it is hard to say it was a bad trade.  Is it a single or a double?  I don't know.

People tend to look at this trade in isolation, White for Richardson, but I don't think that is necessarily looking at the complete picture.  If you think of this more as White replacing Schroder, then you can see better why the team is playing better with White since the trade.  White taking Schroder's role and minutes has made the team better.  Schroder was kind of getting in peoples' way, White has been a catalyst.  Schroder was a "need the ball in my hands" PG, White a versatile combo guard who helps the team in a number of ways, and without needing the ball in his hands.

I like White on the Celtics.  I like that he is locked up on a reasonable contract for several years.  I like that getting White allowed us to trade Schroder (not needing him anymore) for Theis.  These are all connected.

Having Pritchard step up has helped this all work out also.  We are clearly better with White as the back up PG/combo guard.  We are clearly better for having Theis to add to the big depth but we are thinner at back up wing.  Now if Nesmith can step up like Pritchard, he can negate or minimize the wing depth concern, which really has not been that much of an issue anyway.

[droopdog7]

White's struggled offensively but he I'm seeing the turning being turned.  I think he is a significant, though perhaps subtle, upgrade.  I consider the trade a homerun is White continues to settle in.  Just as advertised, White is a connecter in every sense of the word.  Moves the ball and really good passer and defender.  Can drop him into any lineup and he'll give it what it needs.

[Neurotic Guy]

Practically speaking it’s Richardson and Schröder for White and Pritchard (and Freedom for Theis).   I like the post-trades Cs on all counts.

I’d love to have both White and JRich, but if I had to choose one it would be a pretty easy selection. White does more.

[sgrogan]

Practically speaking it’s Richardson and Schröder for White and Pritchard (and Freedom for Theis).   I like the post-trades Cs on all counts.

I’d love to have both White and JRich, but if I had to choose one it would be a pretty easy selection. White does more.

I agree. White can play in more combinations with the existing roster.

[Roy H.]

I’ve liked White’s play since he got here.  I’m glad his shot is finally falling. 

I still think Brad overpaid with the pick swap, but that’s a sunk cost at this point.

[footey]

I like White because it gives us back up PG insurance in case Smart ever gets hurt.  He is so much better than Schroder in terms of our schemes and philosophy in that regard.  And Richardson is not a PG.

[nebist]

I am a big fan of the White trade and deadline moves in general as I think it re-organized our whole roster and also finally set us on a trajectory of being a win-now team that is going to prioritize effective veterans over youth and potential to maximize the Jays' primes. It never made sense to me to maintain a bunch of inexperienced youth when you already had your two stars, and they are extremely young themselves. Teams that have a young average age in the NBA quite simply do not win at the highest levels.

I love that White is a good player who fits seamlessly with all of our other good players and is signed at reasonable $ for 3 more years. We have flexibility to make trades moving forward with mid-range contracts and future picks, but we can also play the long game and rely on continuity and the continued development of the Jays to take us home to the promised land. Would it have been better to not have to include the pick swap value-wise? Yes, sure. We would all agree on that. But, I am willing to give Stevens the benefit of the doubt that it was needed to get the deal over the finish line and will remain optimistic that it turns out to never convey or have a minimal impact if it does.

[SHAQATTACK]

I was glade to Schroder sent off , but I thought Richardson  was finally beginning to find his groove and trust with the club.  He seemed comfortable at the end  and liked being a Celtic.

But so far  , I’m fine with White as their replacement ,  I guess it helps if the staff are use to you and know you so well.  He seems to be a team first guy though and though ….and he and Smart seem to co exist well.  Al , Marcus and White seem to be on the same page playing defense . Which works .

Good things don’t come cheap .  If it was what Ime and Brad needed I’m down with it .




I’m still miffed about the Moses Brown trade , he would have been a nice understudy and backup for Timelord. 

[Kiorrik]

I miss JRich. Really liked him. But that has nothing to do with Mr White.

I really love what White brings. Seen a bunch of individual great defensive moments with him already, but on offense he just seems a bit ... awkward. Like he's waiting to find his groove.

I really love our guys at the moment, and believe they've got a shot at winning a championship. If not now, then in the next few years.

[Silas]

I miss JRich. Really liked him. But that has nothing to do with Mr White.

I really love what White brings. Seen a bunch of individual great defensive moments with him already, but on offense he just seems a bit ... awkward. Like he's waiting to find his groove.

I really love our guys at the moment, and believe they've got a shot at winning a championship. If not now, then in the next few years.

I hope he has found his groove.  His last 6 games looks like he may have.  Groovy!

[Kiorrik]

I miss JRich. Really liked him. But that has nothing to do with Mr White.

I really love what White brings. Seen a bunch of individual great defensive moments with him already, but on offense he just seems a bit ... awkward. Like he's waiting to find his groove.

I really love our guys at the moment, and believe they've got a shot at winning a championship. If not now, then in the next few years.

I hope he has found his groove.  His last 6 games looks like he may have.  Groovy!

Yeah, he has looked heaps more comfortable.

Hope this line continues into the post-season of course, but also, next year. Mr White's on contract with us for a fair while!

[Csfan1984]

I don't like the trade but if C's end up at over pick 25 and the swap never happens can't really complain. White though not a big upgrade is still an upgrade.

[#1P4P]

Richardson is a good player, he played well for us as a solid and versatile defender having his career best season from 3P% on a value contract. I didn’t expect him to be moved before the trade deadline.

White is just the better player for this team. His 18.3% AST% to Richardson’s 9.2% is a microcosm of the offensive philosophy that Stevens/Udoka want for this team. Josh’s offense consists of shooting off the catch or a 2 dribble pull up at the elbow, while Derrick can penetrate the defense with/out a pick, generate high% shots for himself and others, and pushes the ball on the break

The team started to turn the corner before White arrived, but the difference between the bench before and after the trade is canyon sized.