BOSTON – The Boston Celtics have stayed busy this offseason, retooling a roster built to weather Jayson Tatum’s long absence. But according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, they could have done even more. The big headline? The Celtics reject multiple first-round picks in trade talks for Derrick White.
Celtics Reject Hefty Offer for Core Guard, Derrick White
Siegel reports, “The Celtics received plenty of offers from teams for White, one of which involved two first-round picks and a swap,” league sources told him. But Boston’s front office didn’t flinch. When the offer came, they simply said no.
Cost-Cutting, But Not Core Cutting
This front office had one clear offseason goal: cut costs. With Tatum set to miss nearly the whole 2025-26 season, Boston faced a payroll crossing the $500 million mark. Something had to give. Moving Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday did the job, saving them over $200 million between salary and luxury taxes. That alone should reset the apron clock and buy them breathing room.
Yet, even while trimming the fat, the team didn’t waver on their foundation. Rumors swirled around both White and Jaylen Brown before the draft. Some thought Boston might take an offer too good to pass up. But the Celtics rejected all offers for Derrick White.
Why White Matters So Much

Boston sees White as untouchable. It’s no secret why. He averaged career highs: 16.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.0 stocks (steals and blocks) last season. He shot 44.2% from the floor, 38.4% from deep, and 83.9% at the line.
White has transformed himself from a hesitant shooter into a reliable sniper. He ranked fourth league-wide in total made threes with 265. That’s not just good; that’s elite. Factor in his back-to-back second-team All-Defensive honors, and you have a Rolls-Royce 3-and-D guard in his prime.
Brett Siegel summed it up best: “White and Brown are still essential parts of the Celtics’ core next to Jayson Tatum, who will spend almost all of the 2025-26 season rehabbing from a torn Achilles.”
A Grandfather Offer? Maybe.
Boston didn’t shut the door completely. If someone drops a godfather offer at Brad Stevens’ feet, maybe they’ll listen. But short of that, White’s not going anywhere.
The Celtics believe they can survive this storm with smart money moves while keeping the players who matter most. So, even in a cost-cutting summer, Boston showed the league it will protect its core.
Derrick White stays. And the Celtics keep showing why they’re always in the fight.
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