The Boston Celtics’ roster is known to be one of the best in the NBA, and they have the accolades to back up that claim. In fact, another one of their players in Derrick White just won one, being named to the 2025-2026 NBA First Team All-Defensive.
This is the first time he made the first team, as he has two Second Team All-Defensives before that. However, with a potentially monumental offseason on the horizon for Boston, these awards might not keep White safe.
White has been an excellent third option
Since trading for him in 2022, White has been elite for Boston. He’s averaged 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 31.8 minutes per game. He’s been a great third scorer behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, stepping up when one has an off night.
On top of that, he’s one of the best defensive guards in the game, and he’s the best guard when it comes to blocks, as he rivals seven footers with his block stats.
This past season was a clear downgrade
The problem is, Father Time comes for us all. And now, he’s come for White. This past season showed clear regression for the 31-year-old, and Boston may not be ready for the next step back.
While he did average a career-high 16.5 points this season, keep in mind, Tatum was out for a majority of the year, making White the second option. Plus, his shooting stats have really taken a dive. His FG% dropped almost 50 points, from .442 in 2025 to .394 this year, and his 3FG% went from .384 to .327, in only one year.
His playoff performance was abysmal as well. He only averaged 11.1 points, shooting 32% from the field and 27% from deep.
White’s future is unclear
After showing signs of decline, White’s future in Boston is up in the air. He’s owed a little over $97 million over three years, so shopping him while he still has great defensive value and some offensive value may be the smart decision.
Packaging White in some type of blockbuster to not lose Brown might be the play for the Celtics. If that’s the case, Celtics fans will wish him luck, and say thank you for Banner 18 and all the good times he gave them.
Despite the fresh All-Defensive First Team honor — a well-deserved recognition of his elite perimeter defense and shot-blocking prowess — the Celtics organization faces a difficult crossroads. White’s two-way contributions have been instrumental in Boston’s recent contention window, but the visible decline in his offensive efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, raises legitimate questions about his long-term fit on a championship-or-bust roster.
Boston’s front office has built a reputation for making tough, forward-thinking decisions. With White entering the latter stages of his prime and carrying a significant financial commitment, the Celtics may view this summer as the optimal time to capitalize on his remaining trade value. A high-caliber defensive guard who can still impact winning at both ends of the floor would undoubtedly draw significant interest across the league.
For a franchise that has already delivered Banner 18 in recent years, the priority remains sustained contention. While parting ways with a player of White’s character and reliability would be emotional for fans and teammates alike, the Celtics have never been afraid to evolve.
As the offseason heats up, all eyes will be on how Boston balances loyalty to proven contributors with the ruthless pursuit of another title. Derrick White’s name may soon be at the center of one of the most surprising trades of the summer.