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Derrick White Rumors
The Raptors ultimately used the pick, drafting forward Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina with Khaman Maluach, Cedric Coward and various center prospects available. New Orleans traded up to No. 13 overall to select Derik Queen, sending its unprotected 2026 Bucks pick to the Hawks for the selection. The Celtics stayed at No. 28 and took Hugo González before trading back from No. 32 in the second round. “I don’t think Boston ever really was so interested in that selection for one of those types of guys,” Fischer said. “Golden State definitely called for Derrick White too, but there’s just nothing that I know for Jaylen that got really close or for Derrick too.”
Not every team sees Jaylen Brown as a valuable addition?
Jake Fischer: I think all along there was never really a plan to move Jaylen or Derrick. So I don't think anything got close, and I don’t think they were really willing to move those guys either. Like, you would have had to make a trade—Desmond Bane, Mikal Bridges–type of offer—for Derrick White. And honestly, for Jaylen—as great as he is—I think a lot of teams look at his salary number and go: “Why would you be paying what Boston values him at, for that contract?” So his deal isn’t universally viewed as an incredible addition if you were to trade for him.
Since the kids brought it up—how much do you check in on Jayson? We were at the Auerbach Center today, and Brad said he’s in there every day. We even saw him doing the water workout. Derrick White: Yeah, I know he’s at the practice facility every day. I know he’s probably bored and wants to do more, but I’ve just been checking in here and there, seeing how he’s doing, how his summer’s going. I just know he’s doing everything he can to recover quickly. Hope to see him soon.
Derrick White on trade rumors: 'I didn't feel too worried about anything'
White also shared his reaction to being mentioned as a potential trade chip. "I think every summer is pretty crazy, especially nowadays," he said. "But I didn't feel too worried about anything. My agent and Brad had been talking and all the other rumors and stuff, I wasn't really too worried about. "I mean, I feel like it's cool to be wanted by other teams, but I wanted to stay in Boston, and I was glad they wanted to keep me."
Nonetheless, they remain on the roster as the Celtics enter unfamiliar territory as underdogs in the Eastern Conference. Although White is sad to see his fellow NBA champions leave, he's optimistic about what's next for Boston. He spoke about the transition during an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Boston's Celtics insider Chris Forsberg. "It's always tough to see guys leave, especially people that you won a championship with and had so many great battles with," White said. "Obviously, seeing KP and Jrue get traded, it was tough to see. And then Luke (Kornet) signs somewhere else. "Having a different team and having those guys leave is kind of difficult, but it's part of the business and I'm confident the guys that we have coming in and the guys that we still have returning. So it's gonna be a lot of fun, and it's gonna be a different challenge, but I think that's just the great thing about basketball."
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According to league sources, most of the discussions the Raptors were involved with dated back a month ago, and involved trading the No. 9-overall pick in the draft, along with salary — which why RJ Barrett’s name was often mentioned — for an impact player. The Raptors talked to Boston about Derrick White, Memphis about Desmond Bane and Phoenix about Kevin Durant.
According to Zach Lowe of The Ringer, the Toronto Raptors sniffed around White and offered the No. 9 pick (which they used to select South Carolina forward Colin Murray-Boyles). “There were reports that the Raptors offered the No. 9 pick for Derrick White,” Lowe said on his podcast “The Zach Lowe Show” on June 26. “I’m told that’s true, but that it happened a month and a half ago after Jayson Tatum got hurt, and Boston laughed at that offer and said, ‘We need way more than No. 9 for Derrick White.’”
Speaking of the Knicks: Sources say Boston told at least one rival team that it would have insisted on a "Mikal Bridges-type" package to part with Derrick White, league sources say. The Celtics have certainly received no shortage of inbound trade calls on both White and Jaylen Brown in recent days, but nothing got serious on either front.
Mike Zarren on Jaylen Brown, Derrick White rumors: There hasn't been anything close to trading them
Jared Weiss: Boston Celtics assistant GM Mike Zarren on the Jaylen Brown and Derrick White trade rumors: “Those two guys are really, really great players and there hasn’t been anything close to seriously trading them. Im not sure where all that reporting came from.”
Ian Begley: Celtics touched base today with teams, including San Antonio (No. 14), on deals that would land a lottery pick in tonight’s draft. (Obviously San Antonio is not moving its No. 2 overall pick). As others have reported, BOS has been getting offers for Sam Hauser and listening to offers for Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
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Jaylen Brown, Derrick White attracting a lot of trade interest
The Celtics, aiming to reduce their luxury tax bill for next season, are now listening to offers for both Brown and White, according to Shams Charania on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. “It means that phone lines are ringing in Boston,” Charania said. “My understanding is that the Celtics are getting offers called on both Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.”
“The Celtics have a high price threshold for both of these players. They know how great Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are, so I am sure they are getting some massive offers, some pretty big-time calls as well,” Charania said, before revealing that the Celtics’ preference still remains keeping both the stars. However, finances may be forcing their hand. “This is a team that is still in the first apron, still a luxury tax team, still dealing with the uncertainty of Jayson Tatum’s status next season,” Charania continued.
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