After a rocky opening to the 2025-26 NBA season, the Boston Celtics are finally hitting their stride, turning heads with a surge of resilience amid major setbacks. Kicking things off with three straight losses, the defending champs have flipped the script, rattling off wins in three of their last four games as of Monday. But here’s the twist: they’re doing it all without their superstar forward, Jayson Tatum, who’s sidelined for most—if not the entire—season with a devastating Achilles tear.
Even without their six-time All-Star leader, Boston clings to key remnants of their 2024 championship squad, proving they can scrap with the league’s elite on any given night. No one’s pegging them as title favorites or even serious contenders this year, though. Instead, this campaign is shaping up as a strategic “gap year” for the C’s— a calculated pause to rebuild, recover, and potentially snag a top lottery pick that could reshape their future.
As the season unfolds, the Celtics’ front office faces a pivotal crossroads. If their playoff hopes fade and they pivot to sellers mode ahead of the February trade deadline, all eyes could turn to one of their most reliable weapons: star guard Derrick White. The 31-year-old has been a cornerstone in Boston for over four seasons, elevating his game to new heights in green and white. But according to Michael Pina of The Ringer, a blockbuster move might be on the horizon, potentially ending White’s tenure in dramatic fashion.
Pina doesn’t mince words: “Let me start by saying that it would be a crime if the Celtics dealt White, and I don’t think that they will or necessarily should. White will still be only 32 years old when Jayson Tatum returns to form next season. He’s a beloved fan favorite and a top-40 NBA player who defends at an exceptionally high level on and off the ball, makes snappy decisions that are almost always correct, has become one of the best shooters alive, and is satisfied complementing higher-usage teammates without ever shrinking away from a big moment.
“Replacing someone like that is usually not possible. So why would the Celtics trade him? Even if they aren’t motivated to move on from White, they may find themselves talking to a team that makes an offer they can’t refuse. In a potential gap year, this could be a rare opportunity to get younger, add a substantial number of draft assets, and make the task of retooling around Tatum and Jaylen Brown (as they fill over 60 percent of Boston’s cap through 2029) a bit less arduous.”
White has suited up and started in every one of Boston’s seven games so far, delivering steady production despite a dip in efficiency. He’s averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, though his shooting splits sit at a chilly 30.0 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from beyond the arc. Numbers aside, White’s heart and hustle have defined his Boston era, turning him into a fan-favorite glue guy who’s thrived in the spotlight.
If this turns out to be White’s swan song with the Celtics, it’ll cap off an unforgettable chapter—one filled with clutch plays, championship glory, and unwavering grit. But in the cutthroat world of NBA roster building, no one’s untouchable. Could Boston really pull the trigger on shipping out their $118 million guard? Only time will tell, but the whispers are growing louder, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.