NBA Trade Idea Sends Celtics Guard to Clippers for $90 Million Star

The Boston Celtics could be enticed to make an offseason trade with the LA Clippers

Oct 22, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7), guard Jrue Holiday (4) and guard Derrick White (9) react after a play against the New York Knicks in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Celtics' brutal end to their 2024-2025 season culminated in Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury and a disappointing performance in the Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. After losing in six games, Boston has decisions to make regarding their highly-paid roster.

As one of five teams that are over the second apron, the Celtics have limited options to improve their already loaded roster moving forward without parting with a core piece of their championship team. Boston could be highly conscious of the luxury tax implications that come with being a second-tier team and look to shed salary.

May 14, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) in the first half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Derrick White is one of the best role players in the NBA, with his ability to defend multiple positions, spread the floor, and make three-pointers at a 38.4% clip in the regular season, while also playing off the Celtics' superstars. In the playoffs, White averaged 18.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 46.3% from the field, further proving why he is so crucial to a contending team's success.

CBS Sports reporter Sam Quinn appeared on Yossi Gozlan's podcast "Third Apron" to discuss a possible trade involving White and the Los Angeles Clippers.

He said, "Derrick White is going to be 32 on opening night of the 26-27 season. There are teams that would give up 2-3 good first-round picks to get him. We both like Dallas [as a suitor]. I think the Clippers make a lot of sense."

Quinn continued to say, "The Clippers can trade 2030 and 2032. If you put Derrick White on that team in exchange for [those picks and] Bogdan Bogdanovic and one other contract, now you’re really cooking.”

Derrick White this season:

— 16.4 PPG
— 1.1 BPG
— 4th in threes
— 1st in blocks by a guard
— Top 3 in PTS, AST, STL, BLK for Celtics

The first player in NBA history with 250+ threes and 80+ blocks in a season. pic.twitter.com/5Yh6n7AR9X

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 20, 2025

With the Clippers searching for upgrades around the margins this summer, it would not behoove them to kick the tires on a Derrick White trade, even though the Celtics seem adamant about keeping him. A trade between the Clippers and Celtics could involve star guard Norman Powell, looking something like:

LA Clippers receive: Derrick White

Boston Celtics receive: Norman Powell, Kobe Brown, Jordan Miller, 2025 first-round pick (#30), and 2025 second-round pick (#51)

While that should be the starting point for such a valuable role player as White, the Clippers would have to part ways with some critical pieces of their team to bring him in.

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