According to Logan Murdock of The Ringer, the Golden State Warriors are going to be eyeing Boston Celtics guard Derrick White on the trade market this summer. “Another guy for the Warriors to look at going forward is Derrick White,” Murdock said on The Zach Lowe Show. “I think that’s something the Warriors are looking at right now. That’s somebody who can play defense, can settle everyone down, especially when you have a young group like that.”
Boston is facing a dire financial situation this summer, and with Jayson Tatum likely out next year while recovering from a ruptured Achilles, it will be forced to make some tough decisions this summer in order to get below the second apron.
But trading White would be a wild step to take.
Trading Derrick White to the Warriors makes no sense
First and foremost, the Celtics’ top priority this summer will undoubtedly be getting below the second apron. That was always going to be the goal, whether Tatum was injured or not. Trading White to the Warriors wouldn’t help the Celtics accomplish that goal.
Golden State doesn’t have much wiggle room from a salary cap standpoint, and while they could get a third team involved, it would likely take away from the value Boston would be getting back.
It would probably be a combination of Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga (if the Celtics can get under the apron to do a sign-and-trade), and Moses Moody (plus picks). Do any of those pieces project to help the Celtics in the Tatum era? Not more than White will. It’s all very risky, considering their youth and potential developmental tracks.
Trading Derrick White at all doesn’t make sense
Tatum isn’t gone forever. Is there a chance he doesn’t come back from his injury as the exact same player? Sure. But he’s 27 years old and has an amazing track record of quick recoveries and being very healthy. If Kevin Durant can come back and play elite basketball after his Achilles injury ruined his age-31 season, that bodes well for Tatum, who will miss his age-28 season.
Losing White would cut down one of the most important pieces of the Celtics’ core. White is the perfect NBA role player. He’s an All-Defensive staple, an incredible three-point shooter, and has become a quality shot creator and playmaker, too.
Getting rid of White would mean that the Celtics are looking to tank next year, and tanking makes no sense, because there’s no guarantee that there will be a competitive roster around Tatum when he comes back.
That’s a terrible idea.
