Derrick White discusses possible new contract extension with Boston Celtics
By Sam LaFrance
A little over two months ago, Derrick White sunk one of the most clutch shots in recent Boston Celtics playoff history, forcing a Game 7 against the Miami Heat. It was a moment that capped off a tremendous second half of the 2022-23 season for White, who many Celtics fans have grown to love.
Fast forward to the present, and the Colorado native is heading into the 2023-24 season as the team’s starting point guard, according to head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Less than a week after Mazzulla’s announcement, White sat down with ESPN’s Malika Andrews to discuss various topics. Amongst them was the possibility that he’d sign an extension to remain with the Celtics, prior to this season. Boston is able to negotiate with White, during a brief window in September.
“I love being here in Boston. It would be cool to get an extension,” White told Andrews. “We’ll see what happens during that window, but I’ve loved my time in Boston so far and my focus right now is just on the season.”
White, who’s played in seven playoff series for the Celtics since joining the team in 2022 via trade, explained the importance of winning in a city like Boston.
“I mean, Boston’s a title town. That’s what they expect from us, that’s what they want from us each and every year,” White said. “Obviously we’ve been right there the last couple years and it’s just little things each and every year that gotta do a better job of in the playoffs and it starts from Day 1. We just gotta continue to put together good days and I like our chances next year.”
Derrick White has earned the starting point guard role with the Boston Celtics
Again, White pieced together an impressive back-end to last season. He earned the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award in February, right before the All-Star break. The 29-year-old had ripped off three straight 10+ assist games, including a 27-point 12-assist masterpiece against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 14.
In the playoffs, White took his game to another level. He scored 13.4 points per game, while shooting 50.5% from the field and 4.5.5% from beyond the arc.
The most encouraging part of No. 9’s game is his ability to get to the basket and finish. Last season, fans will remember White getting to the paint and nailing floaters on a consistent basis. His consistency on the drive will help create more opportunities for his teammates, and help take pressure off of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
For more on the appointment of Derrick White as the Boston Celtics starting point guard, check out a recent upload to the How ‘Bout them Celtics YouTube channel, where CelticsBlog’s Jack Simone and I discuss the news.