Derrick White leaving Boston Celtics for old team more plausible after Jrue Holiday extension
Derrick White leaving the Boston Celtics for his old team, the San Antonio Spurs, has become more plausible after the Cs signed Jrue Holiday to a four-year, $135 million extension on April 10 according to Air Alamo's Jahlil Williams.
"The possibility of Derrick White returning to the San Antonio Spurs has sparked intrigue among fans, with rumors circulating about a potential reunion with the team," Williams prefaced before saying, "With the Boston Celtics facing salary cap constraints following their recent contract extensions, the opportunity for White to return to San Antonio has become more plausible."
White is a free agent in 2025, and after Holiday's extension, there could be a tax crunch that summer for the Celtics. Winning it all this June could convince Wyc Grousbeck to pay any tax bill that Brad Stevens creates through his transactions. Anything short makes doing so a risky proposition.
Derrick White leaving Boston Celtics would give Payton Pritchard make-or-break opportunity
White leaving the Cs next summer is far more on the table than ever with Holiday being extended, and in the event that happens, Payton Pritchard would have a make-or-break opportunity to step up and be the team's leading floor general. That is, unless Boston got a starting quality point guard back in return.
Pritchard is the third-longest tenured Celtic, if you don't count Al Horford's first stint that had two interrupted seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and OKC Thunder in 2019-20 and 2020-21, and has evolved into a game-changing presence on the floor.
White has been the C's primary ball-handler, with Holiday shifting to the 2 and sometimes even the 3-5 positions -- so Pritchard would be sliding into No. 9's role, not Holiday sliding down and bringing someone like Sam Hauser into the starting five.
The chance of a lifetime could be waiting Pritchard if Boston does something very unpopular but cost-saving in 2025.
The NBA Playoffs are about to begin and you can bet on all of the action thanks to an instant bonus boost at DraftKings. You'll instantly win $150 in bonus bets if you sign up, deposit $10 or more and bet $5 or more on any NBA game this weekend. Click this link to claim your bonus bets at DraftKings today!