Derrick White and Jalen Brown have made a huge difference to the Boston Celtics roster and become hot topics this offseason.
The Boston Celtics went into reconstruction mode after Jason Tatum suffered serious injuries and then seriously injured him bystanding him throughout the season.
The Celtics responded by trading key players Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis during free agency. These moves sparked rumors that Boston would also consider dealing with Derrick White and Jalen Brown.
Multiple teams have asked about availability for both players over the summer. White has attracted particular interest as he competes for a franchise for an upgrade in his backcourt.
NBA insider Brett Siegel revealed that the Western Conference candidate led the pursuit of veteran security guards and called more teams about White than Brown.
Siegel has identified the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors as White’s main suitors. All three franchises made formal enquiries about potential trade scenarios.
“It wasn’t really brewed on that front. There were multiple teams calling Brown, and there were more teams calling Derrick White, especially at the Western Conference,” Siegel reported.
“You can look up and down the list of teams like the Rockets, Warriors, and I think the Lakers probably called there. They’re always involved in those trade talks. But I know that the Warriors and Rockets are two teams who have asked about Derrick White and have come out with a touch to see what it takes to get him,” Siegel added.
Boston quickly rejected the initial proposal, despite the package containing multiple first-round picks. The Celtics have established a very high compensation threshold for potential white trade.
The organization sees white as unruly along with Brown despite its willingness to consider large offers. Only historic trade packages change your position.
“And the Celtics had offered to a table that contained multiple first-round picks. They didn’t want to trade Derrick White. He’s the player they deemed untouchable, like Jalen Brown and Jason Tatum,” Siegel explained.
Boston’s resistance reflects White’s valuation as a critical part, not a consumable asset during the roster transition.
Siegel compared the Boston asking price to the larger package Utah received for Rudy Goatbert of Minnesota. The Celtics only consider transactions that match their historical precedent.
“Again, it’s not a quote, because once you get a package like a Rudy Goatbert type package, when the Utah Jazz got it a few years ago, you get almost every team’s round pick and the young talent you have to consider,” Siegel added.
Gobert Trade includes Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, four first round picks and one pix swap.
The massive hauling has set an unprecedented standard for star player compensation, even players like Gobert, who were recently criticized by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neil.
The Warriors, Lakers and Rockets are probably unable to assemble a package that meets Boston’s goat-level requirements. Golden State owns limited draft capital and aging roster assets.
The Lakers face similar constraints with minimal young talent and protected future picks. Houston remains more flexible, but has already built a balanced roster for next season.
The gap between Boston’s asking price and available offers guarantees white with the Celtics during rebuilding.
The franchise’s historic compensation request effectively removes him from realistic trade debates despite extensive interest from competing teams.