Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Latest on Celtics' Extension Talks with Derrick White
"I love being here in Boston. It'd be cool to get an extension," Derrick White expressed to Malika Andrews in an August appearance on ESPN's NBA Today.
The former Colorado Buffalo is on the Boston Celtics' books for $17.6 million for the 2023-24 campaign and $18.8 million for 2024-25. The two sides have until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 23 to extend their partnership.
White's coming off the best season of his career, averaging 12.4 points, 3.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and nearly a steal and a block per game. He also only committed 1.2 turnovers per contest and knocked down 38.1 percent of the 4.8 threes he hoisted. He also earned a spot on the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team.
While the Celtics initially planned for him to take the reins from Marcus Smart at point guard, he'll now split that responsibility with Jrue Holiday, a pairing that also gives Boston the league's best defensive backcourt.
But how long will this pairing last?
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Holiday's on a $36.8 million contract, carrying a $37.4 million player option for next season, and has to wait six months before signing an extension.
Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe told CLNS Media Celtics Beat hosts Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti, "It seems, talking to people on both sides, that it's very much the plan," adding, "This isn't a Jrue Holiday rental."
But when it comes to the other half of this duo, Himmelsbach reports, "Talks are ongoing, but nothing appears to be on the immediate horizon. Both sides have an October 23 deadline to reach an agreement on extending White's deal."
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
The Celtics have already extended Kristaps Porzingis for two years, $60 million. Holiday figures to be with the team for multiple seasons. They signed Jaylen Brown to what, for a brief period, will be the most lucrative contract in NBA history this summer, what projects to be a five-year, $304 million veteran supermax extension that could increase in value depending on where next season's league salary cap settles, and will ink Jayson Tatum to an even more sizeable supermax extension, a five-year contract worth a projected $338 million.
And while there's no guarantee Al Horford will return for his age-38 season, he's under contract for the 2024-25 campaign.
If Boston were to trade a member of this group, a move that could come with financial relief, Brown's veteran supermax extension stands out.
But at Holiday's introductory press conference, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck stated, "I look at the next six years as a real opportunity for us."
Perhaps that leads to White also getting an extension. But a reluctance to add any more long-term money not earmarked for Tatum onto the books is understandable.
And with the former San Antonio Spur not scheduled to reach free agency until the summer of 2025, when he'll turn 31, allowing Oct. 24 to arrive without an extension in place seems like the prudent decision, as beloved by the organization and fan base as White is.
Further Reading
Joe Mazzulla Indicates Neemias Queta has Earned More Playing Time
Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most
NBA Insider Explains Why Celtics Might Utilize Jrue Holiday as Sixth Man
Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. 76ers: Regulars Shine, Roster Battles Intensify
Oshae Brissett's Value to the Celtics on Full Display in Preseason
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
