Boston Celtics: CP says Marcus Smart, Derrick White trades must happen

ClutchPoints does not think the Boston Celtics, as currently constructed, are perfect. Few should think that is the case after the three-game collapse from up 2-1 over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, but the publication has wholesale changes in mind the Houdini isn’t completely behind.

CP’s Joey Mistretta has two guards in mind that he wants to see the Cs trade. One is an indispensable core member that finally solved Boston’s longstanding point guard problems, and the other is someone the Celtics should only ship off if a star player is the desired target.

Mistretta specifically named Marcus Smart and Derrick White, respectively, as the two proposed castaways in a piece titled “2 players Celtics must trade in the 2022 NBA offseason after losing to Warriors in NBA Finals”.

In his reasoning for shipping off the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Mistretta opined that Boston should parlay Smart into a true third star:

"“Smart could be crucial in acquiring a more talented star to form a true “Big 3” around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.”"

As for White, Mistretta thinks the Cs should strike while the iron is hot after a strong showing in the NBA Playoffs:

"“Derrick White posted a quality postseason for the most part. Sure, there were some inconsistencies. But the truth is that his trade value likely won’t ever be higher than it is now.”"

Marcus Smart and Derrick White have been named as Bradley Beal trade pieces for the Boston Celtics

Based on what we’ve seen from Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens in his year-plus of being in charge of the C’s front office, this offseason should expect a splash or two from Danny Ainge’s successor.

MassLive’s Brian Robb said back after the trade deadline in February that Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Al Horford, and Daniel Theis could all be used as salary-fillers to go along with recent first-round picks Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard in a potential Bradley Beal trade this offseason:

"“The Celtics have plenty of matchable salary (Horford, White, Theis, Smart) along with guys on rookie deals to make the math work. A combination of those players plus significant draft compensation is likely the package that will be offered if the team makes a serious run at Beal.”"

Smart, to the Houdini, is indispensable at this point. While he did frustrate in Game 2 and the Warriors’ series-clincher with inefficient shooting nights and was turnover prone throughout the NBA Finals, those weren’t problems exclusive to him. Boston doesn’t make it to the NBA Finals without him, full stop.

The same can be said for White, but trading him would be far less of a sin. Mistretta is right about his value never being higher, so if the Cs can find the right deal to reel a star in without touching the team’s homegrown core (Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams), it should pull the trigger. White had a spectacular postseason, but his disappearing act in Games 5 & 6 undid a lot of the goodwill he had built before the Cs collapsed.