The Golden State Warriors have their sights set on a realistic target amid the growing uncertainty in Boston: Derrick White. With Jayson Tatum expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season due to an Achilles tendon tear, and the Celtics staring down a projected $500 million payroll, league insiders believe a fire sale may be on the horizon in Boston. And if that happens, Golden State is poised to pounce.
Appearing on The Lowe Post, The Ringer’s Logan Murdock said:
"I think that that's something that the Warriors are going to try to figure out. Somebody, another guy that can [hold the fort], another guy that I think you should look at that, for the Warriors going forward, is Derrick White, a guy like that."
"And I think that's something that the Warriors are looking at right now, because Boston's expected in league circles to have some sort of fire sale, right?"
"But that's somebody that you should look at as well. Just somebody that can play defense and also, like, kind of just settle everyone down, especially when you have a young group like that, you need to settle it down and now step in. So that's something to figure out."
White is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 16.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 38.4% from three and providing elite perimeter defense. At 6'4", he’s one of the league’s premier two-way guards, a seamless plug-and-play fit in almost any system, especially Golden State's.
The Warriors have long been in search of a secondary creator and defender who can thrive alongside Stephen Curry. White checks all those boxes. While not the scorer Jimmy Butler is or the star Durant once was, White brings a steadiness and adaptability that Golden State desperately needs.
Boston, meanwhile, faces harsh financial decisions. With Tatum sidelined and Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday both potential trade candidates, the Celtics may decide to offload one of their most attractive contracts to reset their tax situation.
White’s four-year, $118 million deal begins next season, a contract that’s sizable, but reasonable for a two-time All-Defensive guard in his prime.
Golden State would have to get creative to pull off the move. They don’t have many non-guaranteed contracts to help match salaries, but they do have several appealing assets: future first-round picks (starting in 2026), young talent like Jonathan Kuminga, and expiring deals from players like Kevon Looney or Moses Moody.
If the Celtics are serious about getting under the second tax apron, taking on draft capital and a player like Kuminga while shedding White’s deal could be palatable.
From Golden State’s perspective, adding Derrick White could be their best shot at squeezing one more title run out of the Stephen Curry era. White’s defensive versatility, shooting consistency, and willingness to play off the ball make him an ideal backcourt partner, arguably the best Curry has had since prime Klay Thompson.
The Celtics' offseason decisions will ultimately determine whether White becomes available. But if Boston hits the reset button, don’t be surprised if Derrick White ends up in the Bay.
