Derrick White Discusses Lack of Contract Extension with Celtics

Derrick White has two years left on his deal and is scheduled for free agency ahead of his age-31 season.

The Boston Celtics and Derrick White were unable to get a contract extension done by Monday's midnight deadline. As important as he is to his team's success, that was the expected outcome.

The former Colorado Buffalo is on Boston's books for $17.6 million for the 2023-24 campaign and $18.8 million for 2024-25. He's scheduled for free agency ahead of his age-31 season.

The former San Antonio Spur is playing the best basketball of his career. But for the Celtics, who are currently over the second apron and plan to sign Jayson Tatum to a supermax extension projected to be worth approximately $315 million over five years next summer, it was best to take a patient approach.

At Wednesday morning's shootaround at Madison Square Garden ahead of Boston's regular-season opener against the New York Knicks, White shared his outlook on the lack of a contract extension.

"They were good," he said of conversations between his camp and the Celtics. Like I said, I love being here. Obviously, we've got another year after this year, so focus on it then. But I think they went well, and I want to be here for a long time, so that hasn't changed."

And regarding the response he received from the franchise upon expressing his desire to remain in Boston long-term, he conveyed, "We've got a good bond right now, and we know what's important right now, and so that's what we're focusing on."

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