Latest Derrick White honor should remind Celtics fans grass not always greener

It feels like all anyone has been talking about when it comes to Derrick White is how badly his shot fell off this season, how it got even worse in the playoffs, and how the Celtics need to trade him. Some of that is definitely fair, and there’s no denying his offense hurt them in the playoff loss to the Sixers, but the hate has probably gone a bit far.

There was never a better reminder of that than on Friday when White was named First-Team All-Defense for the first time in his career. White never sniffed a spot during his San Antonio days, but made the Second-Team in each of his first two full seasons in Boston before just missing out last season.

This season, his defense was on another level, and he was rightfully rewarded with this First-Team appearance, alongside Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, and Rudy Gobert.

D-White was the only guard on the First-Team, a level of respect he deserved after proving to be an elite rim-protector and shot blocker, putting up 2.5 stocks per game this season, frequently guarding excellent perimeter offensive engines, while anchoring things off the ball, and helping lead Boston to the fourth-best defensive rating in the league.

White remains critical part of Celtics’ team

So, while everyone is in a rush to throw Derrick in the trade machine and find offensive upgrades, maybe fans should simmer down and appreciate what they have. Yes, White obviously struggled on offense, but he was also burdened with a much bigger role, essentially taking on number-two duties next to Jaylen Brown. 

He was thrust into a role that was probably a little too big, and looked pretty exhausted by the end of the year, but was still able to put together an elite defensive season while giving the Celtics 16.5 points and 5.4 assists per game, despite the rough shooting splits.

He’s about to turn 32 years old, but he was a bit of a late bloomer and has only played in 571 NBA regular-season games for just under 17,000 minutes. For some context, his 29-year-old teammate, Jaylen Brown, has played in 674 games and almost 21,000 minutes. So, it may be easy to look at White’s shot and age and say he’s declining, but he still should have plenty of tread on the tires, and his defensive season should be proof of that.

Celtics will be hardpressed to replace everything White brings

Besides, his contract is still a great value deal, even with the relatively pedestrian offense. He’ll make $30.3 million next season, $32.6 million the following year, and he has a player-option for $34.8 million in 2028-29. That’s a very reasonable number for one of the best defensive players in the league, who’s still a solid offensive player, and one of only two real guards on the team.

Given a long offseason to rest, thanks to the playoff loss, and a smaller, more suitable role with Jayson Tatum back in the fold from day one, I think it’s a solid bet to think White could have a much better shooting season next year, and look a lot more like the player we know and love. He’s still extremely important to the team, and it seems unlikely they are going to go out and get a better overall player. 

Sure, they could flip him for a more offensive-minded player who will give them some of the rim pressure and scoring that they are missing, but that will just create other holes with everything D-White provides. Maybe there’s a deal that offers a clear upgrade and is too good to resist, but in general, the idea of trading White feels short-sighted, reactionary, and potentially extremely ill-advised.

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