On February 10, 2022, in what was Brad Stevens’ first trade deadline as the President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics, Boston traded Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 first-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick swap in exchange for Derrick White.
Some Celtics fans called the White trade an overpay at the time. Sending away Richardson, who the C’s had high hopes would make a difference when they signed him prior to the 2021-2022 season, Langford, who was the selected 14th overall by the Celtics in 2019, as well as a first-round pick and a first round-pick swap. And not to mention, White had signed a four-year, $73 million contract extension with the Spurs in December of 2020.
Looking back, the White trade was just another brilliant move by Stevens. White has been an incredible fit for the Celtics since his debut with the team back in February of 2021, and he continues to prove his value day in and day out.
White’s contributions throughout last season’s NBA Finals run were crucial to the Celtics, and he’s continued to have an impact since. He finished the regular season with a plus-minus of +488, which was the best in the Eastern Conference and fourth-best in the NBA. White was one of just six players to finish the regular season with a plus-minus over +450. The 28-year old guard was Boston’s X-Factor throughout the season, and he has continued that into the postseason.
Yes it’s early, but through two games this series, White has totalled 50 points on 18 of 29 (62%) shooting. White’s 50 points are good for second-most on the team, behind just Jayson Tatum (54), and that total is good for fifth-most in the Eastern Conference this postseason. White has also totalled nine assists, 12 boards and five blocks to start the playoffs.
On Tuesday, White became just the second guard in Celtics history to record at least 25 points and 3 blocks in a playoff game, joining Reggie Lewis. He has been the most consistent two-way player for the Celtics this season, and his phenomenal play has earned him a spot in the starting lineup, which makes Boston all the more dangerous.
With White in the starting lineup, the Celtics now have both Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams coming off the bench, which seems almost unfair.
It’s not everyday that you hear “MVP” chants pouring down on your third scoring option, but that’s just how good White has been for the Celtics this season.