Boston Celtics guard Derrick White is certainly one of a number of upcoming contract conditions the entrance workplace might want to deal with because the offseason approaches.
White, who after subsequent season is about to change into an unrestricted free agent, inherited the function as a full-time beginning guard for the primary time all through his seven-year taking part in profession. But, regardless of having already opened up the front-office wallets to retain Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Vacation for big-dollar, multi-year extensions, White is the subsequent man up.
“Maintaining his 5 finest gamers collectively for the long run goes to get more and more tough for (Brad) Stevens and the Celtics after the forthcoming offseason, when (Jayson) Tatum indicators his personal $315 million contract extension after Brown scored an almost $290 million extension final summer time,” longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein wrote Monday. “We should additionally consider that White, in line with league sources, might be searching for a contract extension this summer time.”
The 29-year-old will earn $20 million subsequent season earlier than doubtlessly testing out the free company market in 2025 — that’s if White and the Celtics don’t attain an settlement this offseason.
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Pairing up with newcomer Jrue Vacation, White confirmed the Celtics the backcourt tandem the group had been lacking for years. White and Vacation joined forces to ascertain the league’s finest two-way guard duo, making game-changing performs routinely on each side of the ground, particularly on protection.
White averaged a career-best 15.2 factors with 4.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists, taking pictures 46.1% from the sector and 39.6% on 3-point makes an attempt. He gained extra league-wide recognition than ever earlier than, whether or not from fellow guard D’Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers or White’s former head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs.
Going from a little-known reserve-unit guard to a key element to a title contender allowed White to lock in a reputable bid at All-Star consideration. The case was an extended shot, however the recognition stays in place.
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As soon as the postseason commenced, White didn’t change. The selfless perspective sprinkled with a will to do no matter it takes generated a pivotal go-ahead 3-pointer within the closing minute of Recreation 4 in opposition to the Indiana Pacers within the Jap Convention finals. It additionally resulted in White’s sensational chase-down block on Dallas Mavericks ahead P.J. Washington in Recreation 2 of the NBA Finals, serving to place the Celtics two wins away from Banner 18.