The Boston Celtics are making waves in the NBA trade market, but don’t expect their championship core to be dismantled easily. Despite rampant speculation, the team is holding firm on their star players, particularly Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, with trade demands that have left rival teams stunned. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Celtics would only entertain moving White—a key piece of their 2024 championship roster—for a package rivaling the blockbuster deal that sent Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks last offseason.
Fischer reported in his The Stein Line Substack newsletter on June 28, “Boston told at least one rival team that it would have insisted on a ‘Mikal Bridges-type’ package to part with Derrick White, league sources say.” For context, the Knicks parted with five first-round picks, four of them unprotected, plus a pick swap to land Bridges. That’s the kind of haul Boston is demanding for White, a versatile two-way guard who has become indispensable to their system.
Raptors’ Offer Falls Flat
Derrick White, 30, proved his worth last season, posting 16.4 points, 4.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and nearly a steal per game while shooting an impressive 38.4% from beyond the arc. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the upcoming season due to an Achilles injury, White is expected to shoulder an even larger role in Boston’s quest to remain competitive. His four-year, $126 million extension, which kicks in next season, underscores his value to the franchise.
The Toronto Raptors recently tested the waters, offering the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft (used to select South Carolina forward Colin Murray-Boyles) for White, according to Zach Lowe on The Zach Lowe Show podcast on June 26. The response from Boston? A resounding rejection. “Boston laughed at that offer and said, ‘We need way more than No. 9 for Derrick White,’” Lowe revealed, noting the offer came about a month and a half ago after Tatum’s injury. The Celtics’ stance is clear: White is a cornerstone, not a bargaining chip.
Celtics VP Slams the Door on Rumors
Celtics vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren was quick to pour cold water on the swirling trade rumors surrounding White and Brown. Speaking to reporters after the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, Zarren emphasized the duo’s importance to the team. “Those two guys are really, really great NBA players, and there hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them,” he said. “I’m not sure where all this reporting came from, but those guys are key parts of our team, and we’re lucky to have them here.”
Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, is poised to take on an even bigger role in Tatum’s absence. The 28-year-old averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals last season, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier two-way wings. Entering the second year of his five-year, $304 million supermax contract, Brown is the heartbeat of Boston’s title defense.
Spurs Lurking for Brown
While the Celtics are steadfast in their commitment to Brown, the San Antonio Spurs are quietly circling. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Spurs have long monitored Brown’s status, viewing him as a potential cornerstone alongside their young core. San Antonio opted not to pursue Kevin Durant in recent trade talks, instead keeping their assets in reserve for high-caliber targets like Brown or Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Now that the Boston Celtics are primed to take a step back and are looking to cut costs, the 28-year-old Finals MVP is suddenly worth talking about,” Siegel wrote on June 17.
Boston’s High-Stakes Gamble
The Celtics’ sky-high asking price for White and their unwavering stance on Brown signal a clear strategy: they’re not rebuilding, they’re reloading. Despite Tatum’s injury, Boston believes their championship window remains open with Brown and White leading the charge. Rival teams hoping to pry away either player will need to bring an offer that matches Boston’s lofty expectations—think multiple unprotected first-round picks and then some. For now, the Celtics are standing pat, daring the league to meet their price.