The Boston Celtics have improved significantly over the course of the season. Especially in the past few weeks, they have dominated more than just about any team, posting the best net rating in the NBA over their last 15 games. Their winning formula is built around a great defense and they just obtained a new ingredient that blends perfectly: San Antonio Spurs point guard Derrick White.
The Celtics traded a 2022 first-round pick, a future pick swap, Josh Richardson and Romeo Langford to land White, an All-Defensive Team candidate for the past few seasons. He will fit tremendously alongside fellow defensive extraordinaire Marcus Smart in the backcourt.
Brad Stevens said that the Celtics have had their eyes on White for years. In Stevens' first season as Boston's president of basketball operations, he struck a deal to get his guy.
Brad Stevens on Derrick White: "We've thought for years that Derrick would be a fit with our very best players. He makes the right plays on offense over and over and over. He only cares about winning."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 11, 2022
White developed into a stellar guard with the Spurs and should fit beautifully with the Celtics. His defense is terrific but his offense is very good, too. His playmaking is solid and his ability to make his own shot is also promising. Perimeter shooting is the one area that he doesn't do very well in, but that could change as he plays alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Stevens added that White's talent and contract — he has three more full years left on his current deal — are valuable, which is why he parted with a first-round pick and only put protection on it through the top four picks of the draft.
Brad Stevens said first-round picks are "really valuable," but so is getting a guy with three-and-a-half years left on his contract who should fit so well next to the Celtics' best players.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 11, 2022
The Celtics' once-miserable season is turning into a very good one.
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