How will the Boston Celtics approach Derrick White‘s looming free agency? The Colorado native has truly come into his own since being dealt from the San Antonio Spurs to the Celtics part way through the 2021-11 NBA season, becoming one of the best do-everything players in the league.
While he may not have star-level production in any one area, taken together, his collection of elite defensive and playmaking skills and complete offensive package has made him an invaluable part of Boston’s starting unit. And while the Celtics may not need to get this extension done if they’re okay risking him hitting free agency, it would be poor roster management to risk losing him for nothing if an extension can be had.
And if you ask HoopsHype’s Mark Deeks, White more than deserves the pay boost.
Will Oshae Brissett re-sign with the Boston Celtics in free agency this summer? https://t.co/hBuWckdwll pic.twitter.com/GSzC1bsSAI
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) June 26, 2024
“As a 3-and-D star with positional versatility and secondary playmaking on top, White deserves a big raise (…), likely to something much closer to the four-year, $135 million pact that Jrue Holiday received last season,” writes Deeks.
“With the new CBA’s ability to start the first season of extended contracts at 140% of the salary of the final season of the contract being extended, up from 125% – and thus a 2025-26 salary of $28.1 million – the Celtics can almost get to that figure.”
And they absolutely should, if White would sign it.
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