The Boston Celtics are navigating a chaotic offseason head-on. After a disappointing playoff exit and Jayson Tatum’s major Achilles injury, the front office is trying to keep the team competitive while cutting costs on one of the league’s priciest rosters.
To avoid the harsh penalties of the NBA’s newly enforced second luxury tax apron, Boston has already pulled off some major trades. They shipped Jrue Holiday to Portland and moved Kristaps Porziņģis to Atlanta in a three-team deal that also involved Brooklyn.
Now, Derrick White could be the next piece on the move.
Derrick White just wrapped up the best season of his career. He put up 16.4 points, 4.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 44.2% from the floor and a career-high 38.4% from three. He’s established himself as one of the league’s most dependable two-way guards.
Still, the Celtics have been open to trade talks. They’re deep in the luxury tax and need some breathing room. White is 30 and due for an extension, which makes him a logical piece to move if they want to create financial flexibility.
This deal works for both teams. The Lakers land a proven playoff guard who defends at a high level and can run the offense alongside LeBron and AD. Boston adds a young shooter in Knecht and a versatile forward in Hachimura, two rotation-ready players who help right away. Plus, the Celtics trim salary without sacrificing their competitive edge.
Why the Lakers Should Push for This
The Lakers are making this move with a one goal win now. Derrick White brings exactly what they’ve been missing: strong perimeter defense at the guard spot, reliable shooting, and smart, veteran decision-making.
By putting him alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers immediately tighten up their backcourt defense. White excels as a perimeter stopper, fits perfectly in switch-heavy systems, and doesn’t need the ball to influence the game. That makes him an ideal fit next to ball-dominant players like LeBron and Luka, who benefit from having someone else take on the toughest defensive tasks.
On offense, White is more than just a supporting piece. He’s proved he can step up when it counts, even dropping 35-plus on multiple occasions last season. He moves well off the ball, sets intelligent screens, and brings poise in crunch time. For a team that’s often leaned too heavily on its stars, he offers the kind of balance and late-game stability they’ve been missing.
How It Helps Boston Rebuild on the Fly
Boston isn’t looking to start over, but it has to find a way to stay competitive without getting crushed by luxury tax penalties. Adding Knecht gives them shooting potential, and Hachimura brings depth and lineup flexibility. More importantly, the deal creates cap space and gives the Celtics room to think long-term without having to part with core stars like Tatum or Brown.
White has played a major role, but if the front office doesn’t plan to extend him, this is the right moment to move him.
Bottom Line
Dealing Derrick White to the Lakers would be a bold swing for both teams, but it tracks logically. Boston would free up money and bring in young pieces. The Lakers would fix their biggest weaknesses and field one of the most balanced starting fives in the West.
If Boston truly wants to retool without blowing it all up, and if the Lakers want to squeeze everything they can from LeBron’s final years, this trade helps both sides move in the right direction.
