Fans of the Boston Celtics may find themselves surprised by veteran floor general Derrick White’s new look as much as they are in his new role with the team for the 2023-24 NBA season as he prepares for his third season with the ball club.
White, who had a successful previous season, has been given the starting point guard position after the Celtics traded Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis earlier this offseason, and opened up about these changes — especially his new lack of hair — in a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews on “NBA Today”. “Everybody likes it,” said White of his freshly-shaved head via the Boston Herald’s Steve Hewitt.
“Obviously with Smart leaving, there’s that point guard role that I only played a little bit last year. I’m looking forward to it,” said the Colorado native of the more important of White’s offseason changes.
Celtics Lab 209: On covering the tougher stories in NBA journalism with Gary Washburn https://t.co/V2FGccxZsC via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 1, 2023
“I’ll definitely have the ball in my hands, more of a playmaker role and I’m looking forward to grow with the team and just get us in the right position each and every time, so I’m looking forward to the season to start and working with Joe (Mazzulla) and the rest of the guys,” added the Celtics guard.
“I don’t think it will be a big adjustment,” he added. I’m just going to have the ball in my hands more, which I’ve done pretty much most of my career, so just getting back to that and just getting the guys in the right spot.”
“Obviously with (Jayson Tatum), (Jaylen Brown), Porzingis now, like I have a lot of talented guys around me that makes my job pretty easy.”
The Celtics signed Champagnie late last season before the playoffs began. https://t.co/yudkHG8WLW
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 2, 2023
Along with All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, the University of Colorado alum will be eligible for an extension ahead of next season, which could solidify Boston’s contracts for the entirety of their current era of contention with some luck.
“I love being here in Boston. It would be cool to get an extension,” explained the San Antonio Spurs alum. “We’ll see what happens during that window, but I’ve loved my time in Boston so far and my focus right now is just on the season.”
NBA scouts are paying close attention to his growth, and many believe he will be a future No. 1 pick in the draft, possibly in either 2025 or 2026. https://t.co/WDpDWUcDjy
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 2, 2023
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